Blackpool Mechanics 0 Darwen 2

11:34am Monday 24th December 2007

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Although having several absentees from the side, Darwen recovered from a slow and uneasy start to record a good away win at the seaside.

The home side were unlucky not to go in front after five minutes.

A chip from well outside the area by Gibson had Nathan Worrell in goal back peddling.

The ball cleared the Darwen keeper, hit the post, and then bounced back into play. A Darwen foot managed to clear the danger.

On 36 minutes, Darwen had a shout for a penalty when Reece Rowinski went down under the challenge of Days.

The referee did not give the decision and booked the Darwen striker for protesting.

On 63 minutes, John Dickinson got clear down the right, ran down towards the corner flag, and then swung a cross into the area.

The ball cleared the front defenders and reached Paul Mashiter, who had anticipated the action. He hooked the ball into the net, leaving Blackpool keeper Cook stranded.

Three minutes later, a Matt Haworth free kick from thirty yards out was left by Cook, who judged it to be going well over. The shot dipped and hit the crossbar.

Darwen sealed the game ten minutes later. Martin Parkes won the ball in midfield, and found Courtney Crooks.

Crooks saw the run of Jordan Hulme through the home defence, and drilled a pass to the Darwen forward.

Hulme raced clear and coolly slid the ball past a helpless Cook in goal.