DARWEN manager Steve Wilkes has revealed how he had to talk captain Paul Brown out of quitting football.

Central midfielder Brown was devastated that his red card against Great Harwood on Friday night had contributed to Darwen being dumped out of the Division Two Trophy at the semi-final stage.

But Wilkes has convinced his skipper that he still has a future in the game.

"Paul was sent off for an off-the-ball incident and phoned me on Saturday because he felt he had let the club down and he wanted to pack in football," Wilkes said.

"He had let us down because he's experienced and should know better than to do what he did. But we've all made silly mistakes. He has done well for the team since he came here."

Wilkes added that he was pleased his side had a swift chance to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat at the Showground.

"I was mortified on Friday. We didn't compete, it was as simple as that," said Wilkes who has signed Ian Lang from Nelson to bolster his defence.

"But I'm glad we've got a game tonight and don't have to wait until Saturday before we play again."