DARWEN climbed to ninth in Vodkat Division One with a thrilling seven-goal victory over Leek CSOB at the Anchor Ground.

And they did it the hard way, having to come back from behind as young striker Will Bown lashed home a first-half hat-trick for the Staffordshire visitors.

Bown netted in the ninth minute, and followed up with two quick-fire goals before the half-time interval.

But Darwen came out on top.

Graham Perkins scored just before the break, Flowers netted a brace and Ed O’Neill scored a penalty to give Dennis Hill’s side all three points.