DARWEN 3 NELSON 2

DARWEN made it three wins on the bounce against local rivals Nelson in the Worthington Challenge Trophy.

Nelson were left to rue missed chances as Steve Wilkes's side edges through to the third round, where they meet NWCFL Division One promotion hopefuls Prescot Cables.

Lee Webb put the home side ahead just five minutes into the game after some good work down the right from Denny Khan.

But Nelson were back on level terms just three minutes later through Carl Howarth.

Darwen were back in front on 18 minutes.

Khan scored the goal of the game, picking the ball up from a throw-in and curling it right-footed into the top corner from 20 yards.

But Nelson were back on level terms just a minute later, this time through Scott Gizon after an awful back pass from Darwen assistant boss Matt Atkinson.

Just six minutes after the break, Rose scored the winner after a mix up in the Nelson defence.

The referee, who had an 'awful' game throughout, according to Darwen manager Wilkes, sent off Nelson defender Kevin Richardson for a second bookable offence eight minutes from time after a tussle with Phil Rose.

The referee rounded off an horrendous all-round performance by awarding a drop-ball -- and ordering Darwen's Andy Walsh to leave the ball for the keeper.

When Walsh refused, he was booked.

Wilkes said: "We won the game and I still thought the referee was appalling, imagine how Nelson's manager John Bailey feels."