DARWEN have a score to settle when they entertain former Cup giantkillers Billingham Synthonia in the Preliminary round of the FA Cup tomorrow.

The Anchormen were crushed 7-0 by the Synners in a first qualifying round tie in the North East last season.

And manager and postal worker Steve Wilkes would love to put the record straight now his side have home advantage.

"That turned out to be a nightmare trip," said Wilkes.

"I didn't have a full side out, the coach turned up an hour late, and when it did arrive it was a clapped-out old chara'.

"We eventually got there about 20 minutes before kick-off and they played us off the park.

"So we've got something to prove to ourselves and they certainly won't fancy playing us at our place."

The Anchormen go into the tie boosted by the fact they top the First North Western Trains League Second Division after the opening week of the season. They've yet to concede a goal after thrashing Tetley Walker 5-0 on the opening day then beating Colne 1-0 in a tight derby on Tuesday night. And Wilkes wants to keep that run going with the carrot of a trip to either Easington Colliery or Newcastle Blue Star awaiting the winners of tomorrow's tie.

"We've had a good start and we want to keep it going.

"Hopefully, Billingham will come down here tomorrow thinking they're going to walk it like last year and we might just surprise them."

But Scott Derbyshire is doubtful after straining a calf muscle and Lee Slater is unavailable.

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