Match Report

Even though they were a man light, Darwen controlled the remainder of the first half. Their best chance to seize the initiative and take the lead came just before the break. Shaw dinked a delicate ball over two Holker defenders for Leon Creech but the striker slipped at the last moment and his shot was sliced over the bar.

It was all square at the interval.

In the second period, the extra man became more noticeable as the away team in Green found they won more second balls in midfield giving them the edge.

In the Fiftieth minute, Otis Gorman headed the ball off the line and away from danger but soon after, Holker Old Boys retook the lead. A Glancing header from Brandon Collins evaded Fieldhouse for his second of the game. 1-2.

The travelling side tried to take the sting out of the occasion and manage what was left of the contest and it worked for around Twenty minutes until Darwen applied more pressure as the game wore on.

Darwen became more direct in their search for an equaliser. With Fifteen minutes remaining, an excellent bit of skill by Creech allowed him to turn his man and get a shot off. Darwen fans held their breath and agonisingly the effort grazed the outside of the post.

The Salmoners rallied with multiple corners and long throws but the Stags defence remained resolute led by man of the match, Luke Mitchell. In added time, Darwen pushed forward allowing the visitors to catch them on the break.

Lenny Fieldhouse was at hand to save heroically from a one-on-one opportunity at the death, but moments later the full whistle echoed around the Anchor Ground. Darwen’s fourth defeat of the campaign, and all of those defeats have ended in a 2-1 scoreline.

The Salmoners will look to get back on track against league newcomers Shelley on Saturday.