DARWEN extended their unbeaten start to the season in the First North Western Trains League Second Division with a comfortable victory at struggling Tetley Walker.

The visitors could easily have doubled their tally in a one-sided contest, but player-manager Steve Wilkes was happy enough just to bank the points and keep his side's run going.

It took Darwen just three minutes to take the lead as Wilkes' through-ball was flicked on by Paul Baker, for Mick Lynch to run on and score.

Tetley keeper Peter James then kept his side in touch with excellent saves to deny Baker and Lynch.

But he was beaten again after half-an-hour when Baker beat the off-side trap to accept Jimmy Khan's through-ball and roll in number two.

Chances went begging for Darwen after the break as Baker and Neil Almond both missed the target and Matt Atkinson headed against the bar.

But Atkinson did add a third after 75 minutes when he got the final touch following a goalmouth scramble to head into the top corner.

The hosts' only worthwhile effort came three minutes from time, but Lee Newbould's effort struck the bar.

Darwen stay third and will be looking for another win at home to bottom-of-the-table Oldham Town tomorrow night.

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