MANAGER Steve Mullen is picking up the pieces of Darwen's FA Cup exit after they conceded three extra time goals against Brandon United on Wednesday.

As well as missing out on a home tie with Liversedge, Mullen's side also suffered a couple of untimely injuries ahead of their next venture into a knock-out competition this weekend.

On Saturday they host another Northern League Division One side, Horden Colliery Welfare, in the first qualifying round of the FA Vase.

But Andy Hayes, who rejoined this week from Padiham along with Steve Pickup, limped out of the replay after five minutes with a groin strain and playmaker Paddy Lauber is also doubtful.

Despite this, Mullen was pleased that he at least had a full squad in attendance for the long trip north.

He said: "The good thing was we had a full 16 players on a Wednesday night, but we need to produce what we are are doing off the field on it as well.

"Over the 90 minutes we felt we did ourselves justice but in extra time the result looks like a drubbing because we didn't discipline ourselves and work through to the end of the game.

"You can blame the travelling because it took a lot out of us, but unfortunately we didn't perform as well as we did in the first game."

Plus points included the return of Matt Taylor to the defence after suspension -- and gaining the knowledge that they can compete with a team on the same tier of the non-league pyramid as Vase rivals Horden.