FC UNITED were involved in a Lancashire 'hotpot' for the second time in a week, as 1,800 fans travelled to Darwen to see if their team could return to winning ways following the previous defeat to Colne.

Despite the depleted crowd, due to ticketing problems, those in attendance were treated to an open, exciting game, which was only settled in the last quarter of an hour.

The home side had the better of the opening exchanges, with George relieved to see a speculative effort from distance rebound off the woodwork and into his grateful grasp.

The close shave had an invigorating effect on the visitors, with the footwork of Torpey and physical presence of Mitten causing the home defence all sorts of problems.

Indeed, the two strikers were to combine to create the first goal of the game; Mitten knocking the ball down to Torpey who in turn fed debutant Brown and the new man made no mistake as he coolly slotted home on 25 minutes.

Torpey and Carden also went close before the break; however, the teams turned around in the gathering gloom with the difference only one goal.

Darwen again dominated the early stages. Speculative balls into centre forward Zarec were causing all kinds of problems, as the lanky striker was a difficult presence to deal with.

Indeed, it was he who levelled affairs on the hour. Another long cross headed towards Barrie George's hands, Zarec challenged fairly and knocked the resulting free ball into an empty net.

Marginson responded by introducing goal-machine Adie Orr, and his pace added to Torpey's trickery had the home defence in all sorts of problems.

They went on to combine for the winner with 15 minutes remaining, as Torpey released Orr, he sent the defence the wrong way before crossing for Simon Carden to side-foot home from a yard out, as FC extended their lead at the top of the table to six points.