DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes was livid after watching his side pay the price for two refereeing blunders in this League Challenge Cup preliminary round tie.

In a controversial finale, Woodley's Andy Seddon jumped to meet a right-wing corner in the dying seconds and blatantly flicked the ball past keeper Lee Purvis with his hand.

The ref didn't spot it, though, and despite furious protests from the entire Darwen team, it booked Woodley a first round clash against Blackpool Mechanics.

That wasn't the only moment of controversy in an enthralling contest either.

Andy Wearden also used his hand to knock the ball out of Purvis's grasp before blasting home Woodley's opener on 17 minutes.

But the Anchormen recovered from that early setback when Mick Lynch was tripped in the box and Michael Douglas tucked away the resulting penalty five minutes later.

Paul Baker then went close after rounding the keeper but it was the visitors who seized the initiative again three minutes before the break as Matt Wearden's 20-yarder crept into the bottom corner.

Darwen totally dominated the second half as Baker, Lee Slater, and Andy Bright all missed chances before Baker did grab his 10th of the season with 10 minutes left.

But just as the tie looked set to end in stalemate, up popped Seddon with his dramatic winner.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.