PLAYING some of their best football of the season, Darwen closed out their North West Counties' League campaign in style with a well-deserved draw at Hollinwood Road.

Indeed, with some luck, they could have gained a win.

Kidsgrove took the lead after a goalmouth scramble on the half hour when the ball should have been cleared.

But it sereved as the incentive the visitors needed to take the game to their opponents who were soon swamped with well-constructed attacks and pinpoint crosses into the box. Harold Sandals blazed a close range shot over the bar when he should have scored and Martin Horsfield was narrowly wide with a couple of efforts.

But on the hour mark, Horsfield collected a brilliant ball from the outside of Ian Whittaker's boot and superbly lobbed the keeper from 20 yards to secure the equaliser.

Dean McGarry then had a shot saved and Mark Walsh twice went close to grabbing a late winner.

"It was a great way to end our season," said manager Ian McGarry.

"It's just a pity we didn't hit this kind of form earlier."

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