Tetley Walker...1

Darwen...0

A 71st minute headed goal by Barry Edwardson settled an evenly contested encounter at Long Lane between North West Counties League Division Two's sixth and seventh placed teams.

Both sides had created numerous chances in an action-packed first half but due to a combination of poor finishing and outstanding goalkeeping neither side were able to break the deadlock.

In the opening minutes of the second half, last season's top goalscorer Edwardson had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring but was denied by a brave save by Lee Purvis.

Darwen, unbeaten in the league since October, failed to take advantage of Tetley Walker being reduced to 10 men when captain and goalkeeper Lee Medland was sent off mid-way through the second half for handling the ball outside his area.

Darwen laid siege to the Tetley goal but were unable to find a way past a resolute Tetley defence backed up by centre forward Andy Flood, who took over in goal from the dismissed Medland.

Edwardson's winning goal from a Simon Corns cross maintained Tetley's sixth position in a close championship race which sees the Long Lane club tucked in narrowly behind the leading clubs.

Tetley: Medland, Roby, Abram, Walmsley, Webster, Collins, Bickerstaffe, Ellaby, Edwardson, Flood, Corns. Subs: Dermott, Jones, Smith.

Tonight, Thursday, Tetley travel to Colne, 7.45pm, and on Saturday receive a visit from fast rising Daisy Hill, kick-off at Long Lane is 3pm.

Forthcoming fixtures: January 27, away v Nelson; Feb 3, away v Bacup Borough; Feb 20, home v Holker Old Boys; Feb 17, away v Formby; Feb 24, home v Blackpool Mechanics.