DARWEN beat the weather and lowly Mechanics to move to the top of the First North Western Trains League Second Division.

After the Anchor Ground had passed two pitch inspections, Darwen took full advantage to harden their promotion credentials with four second-half goals.

Player-boss Steve Wilkes feared it was not going to be his side's day when they had three efforts ruled out for offside and couldn't make the breakthrough in a one-sided first half.

Neil Durkin and Jimmy Khan went closest to finding a way past a resolute Blackpool defence, while the visitors had a solitary chance which Neil Ashford put wide.

However, Darwen's nerves were soothed just four minutes into the second half when Khan put them ahead, stroking home Neil Almond's cross at the far post.

Durkin, Darwen's most dangerous player, spurned a chance to make it 2-0 when he headed wide.

But three goals inside five minutes late on gave the scoreline a more realistic look.

And it was Durkin who started the flurry when he picked up a clearance following Wilkes' free-kick to chest the ball down and drill home a half-volley.

It became 3-0 after 84 minutes when a great ball from the back by Anthony Keefe gave Paul Baker the chance to hold off a number of challenges and slot home his 24th of the season.

And two minutes later substitute Denny Khan wrapped things up when he followed up Durkin's shot to nod home the fourth.

Darwen keeper Lee Purvis had seen little of the action but he ensured another clean sheet with a stunning last-minute save to deny Rob Park a consolation.

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