THE difficult fixtures did not let up for Darwen and they had it all to do again as Oldham took the lead on 20 minutes.

The ball was lost in midfield and picked up by Elstrom Die who slotted home, and the same player put them 2-0 less than 10 minutes later.

The Salmoners got back into the game and a shot on the turn by Liam McMillan hit an Oldham hand in the penalty area.

Referee Mr Foster pointed to the penalty spot and Dean Clarke converted with ease.

Darwen started the second-half strongly and were rewarded when Clarke ran onto a ball over the top and struck a crisp shot to square the match.

It was against the run of play that Oldham struck again after 65 minutes, Phillips squeezing the ball inside the left post.

And then Darren Scanlon netted a late fourth.