MANNY Amole’s wonder strike helped Steeton record back-to-back victories as they followed up Tuesday’s win with a further three points against Darwen.

In a physical encounter, Roy Mason’s side recovered from a contentious penalty retake by getting back onto the front foot and, in the process climbed up to 8th in the early standings.

The first half of this North West Counties Football League First Division North clash proved to be a very even affair, with both teams only having one real opportunity apiece.

After a quiet opening 20 minutes, James Catlow made an outstanding fingertip save to turn Leon Creech’s goalbound header around the post for a corner.

At the other end, Steeton nearly took the lead themselves.

Raeece Ellington floated a free kick into the Darwen area where Josh Walne lost his marker to get his head to the ball, but the ball agonisingly struck the post.

Towards the end of the half, Mo Farhan Subhani found himself space on the edge of the area and forced a shot on target, but it was straight down the throat of the Darwen goalkeeper for an easy save.

The second half proved to be a more open affair as both sides pushed to secure a crucial early season victory.

Steeton began brightly and created two early chances.

Jake Townsend forced a good save from Darwen keeper Lenny Fieldhouse before Mohamed rattled the stanchion after a Josh McKiernon header into the area.

And it was a combination of Mohamed and Townsend that led to the opening goal of the afternoon.

With Darwen pinned back towards their own goal, Mohamed fired a strike towards goal from 30 yards out.

The goalkeeper spilt the striker’s shot into the path of Townsend, who was on hand to smash the loose ball into the back of the net and open the scoring.

The hosts then had the opportunity to double their lead, but Josh Coe saw his header go just wide of the near post after a superb delivery into the area by Townsend.

Darwen however were granted the chance to level up the scoreboard as Creech was knocked over inside the area by a backtracking Steeton defender.

The striker picked himself up to take the initial penalty, denied by a trademark stop from the spot by Catlow.

Controversy followed as the linesman flagged for a retake, not for Catlow coming off his line as first thought, but instead for encroachment.

With those in green and white furious at the call, Creech this time sent Catlow the wrong way and get his side back into the arm wrestle.

Steeton nearly retook the lead immediately from the restart, but two last-ditch defensive blocks from the visitors kept the scores level.

Mason in turn introduced Amole from the substitutes' bench and the winger proved to be the difference on the afternoon.

Immediately getting himself involved in the action, Amole nearly put Steeton back in front as his teasing cross got the better of everyone, but it bounced just the wrong side of the far post.

Sam Holt was then booked for clattering Steeton's Jeremie Milambo, the left-back on his second debut for the club, as the Chevvies continued on the front foot.

Then came the sensational winning strike.

With Darwen defenders pinning him outside of the area, Amole had a glance up before beautifully lifting the ball over the keeper and into the top corner from range with a superb curling effort.

Steeton then held off any late onslaught, with Holt ending his afternoon in the sin-bin after dissent against the officials.