Alsager 2 Darwen 0

DARWEN boss Steve Wilkes branded this performance as 'awful' as his Anchormen resigned themselves to a fourth-place finish in the FNWTL Second Division.

After a season which promised so much, the visitors completed their league programme with little more than a whimper as second half goals from Paul Twigg and Ryan Lowe condemned them to another disappointing defeat.

"We were awful," admitted Wilkes. "I think this season has gone on two games too long for us, although I don't want to be too critical because we have finished fourth."

Robbed of five first team regulars, Wilkes had to name physio Mick Sharples among his substitutes. And the 46-year-old was forced to play nearly the whole of the second half following an injury to Mark Bennett.

The only incident of note in a lacklustre first half was a great save from Lee Purvis to keep out Wayne Brotherton.

Darwen's only chance of the game fell to Paul Lynch but his header was tipped over the bar before the home side scored twice in the closing stages.

First, Dorrian Garner crossed for Twigg to apply a neat finish. Then two minutes from time Garner was the instigator again, this time pulling the ball back for Rowe to net with an unstoppable shot.