DARWEN 1 NELSON 1 DARWEN picked up their first point in five league outings after Martin Hulme's first half equaliser dented Nelson's promotion hopes.

Missing six players through injuries and suspensions, Anchor boss Steve Wilkes had to coax Hulme out of retirement simply to put out a side aginst the in-form Blues.

But the move paid dividends when the former Ramsbottom man smashed home a right foot volley in the 32nd minute to cancel out a Kiko Rodriguez wonder strike.

"It was a poor game because of the windy conditions but we were happy with a point because we've been struggling recently," said Wilkes.

Neil Almond and Neil Cordingley both had to be drafted in for their first games of the season due to Wilkes's injury crisis. But they could only stand and watch as Rodriguez waltzed around four defenders in the 30th minute before slotting past Lee Purvis.

Darwen's response was instant, however, as Hulme crashed home a volley two minutes later after Paul Baker had flicked on Mark Patterson's cleverly flighted free kick.

But, with both keepers in top form, the closest either side came to a winner was a Patterson blockbuster in the 90th minute which flew inches wide after taking a deflection.