HOOKER Ross Doneghan is adamant it will be Darlington Mowden Park claiming the SSE National League Two North title come the end of the season, despite having lost ground on their rivals.

Park locked horns with second- placed Stourbridge last time out looking to close the gap on both their opponents and leaders Macclesfield.

It was not to be their day, however, as they lost 14-5 with attention swinging sharply to bouncing back at home to Otley this weekend.

Nine points separate Mowden with Macclesfield at the top but Doneghan insists they will overcome the deficit with the Stourbridge disappointment set to drive them on to the end.

“We absolutely still believe that we can win the title, 110 per cent, every single player from one to 20, the coaches and the backroom staff,” he said.

“We hit a bit of a speed bump last week against Stourbridge but we keep on fighting and going for promotion.

“We were disappointed with last week, we had played so well going into the game but that’s rugby, you cannot win them all.

“But it will only drive us on to play well on Saturday and get a result. We have analysed the performance from last week but we put it to the back of our mind now.”

A quick glance at the league table – Mowden sit third in comparison to their relegation-fighting opponents Otley – would put Park down as favourites, especially given their 31-5 win earlier in the campaign.

But with the end of season run in guaranteeing plenty of upsets and drama, hooker Doneghan knows Park will have to be on their guard if they want to come away with maximum points.

“Otley are a good side, we know that they are a dangerous side who on their day can get a win against anyone,” he added.

“They are fighting for their lives so it is a cup final game for both of us. It’s about making sure the mental approach is right and making sure we have that edge over Otley.”