A PAUL Baker brace maintained Darwen's flying start to the season as Steve Wilkes' men kept another clean sheet and climbed to second place in the First North Western Trains League Second Division.

Last night's win means Darwen have dropped just two points from a possible 24 and in eight league games they have conceded only one goal.

Player-boss Steve Wilkes, who was responsible for deflecting the solitary goal into his own net, said: "If we get 1-0 up everyone's saying 'Let's have another clean sheet' and throwing their body in front of shots and everything which is a great thing to have. Long may it continue. "The only disappointing thing is that we haven't got a game on Saturday to keep the run going."

It took Darwen just six minutes to get the opening goal against lowly Oldham.

Michael Douglas, back in the side after helping Darwen Cricket Club to win the Vaux Northern League, struck a powerful shot from the corner of the penalty area.

And when keeper Simon Caine couldn't hold it, Baker was on hand to rifle home the loose ball.

Lady Luck then smiled on the hosts when Paul Brady's 25-yarder hit a post and despite plenty of possession Darwen had only a David Barnes header over the bar to show for their efforts.

However, Wilkes' men raised their game after the break and on the hour Baker made it 2-0 with his fourth goal in five games when he ran on to Mick Lynch's through-ball to beat the advancing Caine.

Then after Lee Slater had lifted a shot over the top, Baker thought he had completed his hat-trick 15 minutes from time only for the effort to be chalked off for off-side by a ref who impressed neither side and booked four Darwen players.

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