DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes has been delighted with the response of his players to his threats to quit.

After defeat to Abbey Hey last week Wilkes to close to throwing in the towel, saying the players weren't playing for him, but after phone calls of support and a first half display at Formby to be proud of, he has decided to carry on in the hotseat.

Despite a 2-1 defeat Wilkes said he was proud of his players. "Formby is a really hard place to go and get a result," he said. "And we were down to the bare bomes with just 11 fit players. Phil Rose was on the bench, but he is injured."

Darwen took a deserved lead through Denny Khan on 25 minutes. A cross from the left was headed on by Paul Baker and Khan got a foot to it to send it goalbound.

Khan had more chances before half-time, including a 30-yard screamer which looked destined for the net only to flash inches wide.

Winger Lee Slater, who had been causing all sorts of problems, had to go off with cuts to the back of his leg after a cynical challenge from Formby's Lee Royle just before the break and in the second half Darwen looked a different side.

Formby equalised on the hour through Royle, who was lucky to still be on the pitch after the challenge on Slater, and Darwen had keeper Purvis to thank for not going further behind after two magnificent fingertip saves.

Mark Isherwood had the ball in the back of the net in what looked like a valid goal but the referee blew for a foul on the Formby keeper and eight minutes from time Mark Wilson got the winner for the home side.