DARWEN crashed out of the FA Cup at the preliminary round stage after a nightmare at the Anchor Ground.

Steve Wilkes's side, who have yet to win a game this season, had the chances to win the tie but spurned each one.

The Northern Counties East side go through to the next round and pick up the £1,000 cheque.

"That is the worst we have played all season," he said. "One or two of the players thought they had won it before the game after getting a draw over there.

"We are disappointed, especially because of the money we could have won."

After a poor first half with barely any clear chances for either side, Liversedge took the lead on the hour through Paul Smith after Darwen full-back Scott Grundy was dispossessed 35 yards out.

Paul Baker had a golden chance to equalise but, just six yeards out, he sent a free header straight at the keeper, who punched it over the bar.

And Baker had another chance to score with five minutes to go but again his header went straight at the Liversedge keeper Chris Simpson.

And the best chance of the game was again wasted by Darwen in the closing stages when Mark Heys, on as a sub for Denny Khan, tried a one-two with Baker and his pass hit a defender and came back to him.

He needed only to square to Baker but he fired a shot goalward and it went wide.

RESULT: DARWEN...0 LIVERSEDGE...1