THREE second-half strikes saw Darwen secure a deserved NWCL Division Two victory over Blackpool Mechanics at the Anchor Ground.

After an evenly matched start to the game - which was filmed by Sky Sports as Sunderland look set to relieve them of their long-standing record of 18 consecutive league defeats - Andy Bright got on the score-sheet after 25 minutes with a far post header following fine wing play from Neil Almond.

Tim Kinley nipped in front of goalkeeper Lee Purvis to equalise for the visitors five minutes later, after the Darwen defence failed to clear.

Darwen upped the tempo and were soon back in front through Mark Westhead, who saw his shot-on-the-turn crash in off the post.

Westhead put his side further ahead on 50 minutes after a one-two with Denny Khan, who in turn grabbed a goal of his own moments later with an accurate

strike from the edge of the box.

The Fylde side subsequently threw men forward, but to no avail, and Darwen player-manager Steve Wilkes said: "After a low key pre-season we've come out

all guns blazing in our opening two league games, which is how it should be.

"I threw three young lads into the fray - Ben Jackson, Andy Hays and Chris Stott - and each performed well in what was another confidence boosting victory."

DARWEN ...4

BLACKPOOL MEC ...1