TABLE-toppers Darwen aim for a fifth straight Chorley Building Society Northern League win tomorrow - but are also hoping against hope that they are not keeping the accident and emergency department busy.

Jordan Clarke’s Towers opened up a three-point gap at the summit when they beat barrow at Birch Hall on Bank Holiday Monday – but that day will be best remembered for the double injury nightmare they suffered as Nathan Jackson dislocated a shoulder while fielding.

And at the same time Jackson was being taken to hospital, Andrew Cook was also being rushed to A&E after breaking his leg in the second team fixture.

It also emerged after the game that Chris Lowe had broken a finger meaning Darwen’s ranks are somewhat depleted ahead of tomorrow’s visit of Kendal.

“It’s like Emergency Ward 10 at the moment,” said Darwen secretary Colin Charnock.

“When Nathan was hurt in the first team game we were lucky that Niall Burke who used to play for us was watching the game and had some whites in his car so he could sub-field.

“Maybe the spectators should bring their whites just in case, but surely we can’t have another day like that.”

Bizarrely, it is the second time that Cook has broken his leg while playing cricket.

He has been released from Furness General Hospital after undergoing an operation on a double fracture but his season is over.

Jackson will be out for a couple of months while Lowe will also miss games.

Tomorrow’s game promises to be tasty as Kendal arrive in town with Kiwi Test star Jamie How in fine form and veteran former Nelson professional Terry Hunte still rolling back the years.

Chorley have also made a decent start to the campaign, even though they were frustrated by the abandonment of Monday’s game at Lancaster with the umpires ruling the Lune Road ground unfit for play.

League chiefs will probe those circumstances but there will be no such worries tomorrow when Andy Holdsworth’s men host St Annes at Windsor Park.