WINSFORD restored a little confidence after their shock home defeat by Chadderton against a Darwen side containing several expensive signings on Saturday.
The match had an explosive start. Lee Duckworth, Dave Hanlon Danny Jarrett and Rob Hopley all went close for Winsford, while Jamie Mottershead was equal to Darwen's best efforts.
Winsford took a deserved lead on 34 minutes when, in stark contrast to all the good football played, a goal came via route one.
A long kick by Mottershead deceived everyone apart from Ged McAllister and the diminutive striker evaded defenders and placed a perfect lob over advancing goalkeeper Daniel Holland.
Four minutes later the match was all square when Jarrett's hesitancy allowed Dennis Hill to cross and Neil Almond gave Mottershead no chance.
Duckworth was unlucky to see his 41st minute free kick crash against the bar.
Blues restored their lead a minute after the restart when Hanlon's free kick was headed across the area by Jarrett to give Danny Topping a simple tap-in.
The goal stung Darwen into action and they won a dubious penalty on 64 minutes when Mike Lomax was adjudged to have handled a shot that was blasted at him from two yards.
However, Mottershead dived well to his left to save a spot kick from ex-Blue Stuart Telfer.
But within a minute Darwen were level anyway. It looked as if three players had been caught offside and initially the assistant referee raised his flag causing the Blues defence to stop dead. However, the referee ignored the signal and Jason Jones was allowed to walk the ball into the net.
United protested vociferously. Their last chance of winning the mach probably went when debutant Paul Lewis was given his marching orders for kicking the ball away just minutes after receiving a yellow card. Even so Duckworth was un-lucky on 70 minutes when he again struck the bar.
UNITED: Mottershead; Lewis, Lomax, Marsh, Stewart; Topping, Jarrett, Duckworth, Hanlon; McAllister, Hopley.
Attendance: 110.
Star Man: Ged McAllistery, proved the greatest threat.
Next Best: Jamie Mottershead. Team Rating: 3.
Match Rating: 4.
