DARLINGTON Mowden Park desperately need the return to normality to bring an upturn in fortunes as they prepare for their first home match since September 12 tomorrow.

After five successive defeats since winning their opening match at Cinderford, they remain next to the bottom of National One and are hoping that a big crowd at The Northern Echo Arena will inspire them to a better start against Loughborough Students.

As in the previous three games, they shipped more than 20 points in the first half at Wharfedale last Saturday before rallying. They had the gap down to 31-21, only to concede two late tries and lose 45-21.

Amazingly, considering their position, Mowden boast the division's leading try-scorer in hooker Simon Uzokwe, who went on as a half-time replacement and scored twice to take his tally to six.

They feel that injuries, as much as the disruption caused by hosting the All Blacks, are to blame for their struggles and Tom Kill became the latest casualty when he was stretchered off with what could be a long-term knee injury.

Normally a winger, he was the fourth player in six games to be tried at full back as Mowden search for an adequate replacement for Henry Robinson.

Callum Mackenzie was again selected on one wing, with former Newcastle Falcons centre Michael Tait making his Mowden debut on the other, while skipper Gareth Nesbit made his first appearance of the season at prop.

As at Ampthill the previous week, they dominated the opening exchanges without scoring as one penalty was run to no avail and Garry Law missed an attempt at goal.

Wharfedale broke out to score after 17 minutes and 14 minutes later they were 24-0 up through three converted tries and a penalty by former Blaydon fly half Jamie Guy, who had a 100 per cent kicking record.

Uzokwe burst over for his first try after 51 minutes, converted by Law, but Wharfedale replied through West Hartlepool product Nathan Myers, who began last season with Mowden.

Replacement centre Ben Frankland scored Mowden's second and, when Uzokwe crossed again, they were back in it. But Wharfedale's dual-registered Yorkshire Carnegie winger Dan Tai seized a loose ball to race 80 metres to score and they were awarded a late penalty try when scrum half Matt Walsh prevented a quick penalty.

In the first Middlesbrough v Stockton league meeting for many years, Boro won 36-13 to stay joint top with Durham City in Durham and Northumberland One.

Fly half Sam Gaudie added welcome goal-kicking ability for Boro on his return from a summer of rugby in Canada, but Stockton kicked the opening penalty.

A fine run by Rhys Kilbride was supported by Rob Bellerby, who took the inside pass to score before good work by the forwards ended with Phil Harland sending Kilbride over.

Conor Foley scored the third when he picked the ball up at a ruck, feigned to go right, then switched left and skipped through a hole in the defence.

Stockton's second penalty made it 19-6 at half-time.

Kilbride and Bellerby both added their second tries as Boro stretched away and they closed their account when a line-out was driven to within a few metres of the 22 and Richie Lonsdale broke off to surge over. Stockton scored a late converted try.

Darlington remain bottom without a win after their leaky defence was again exposed in a 51-24 defeat at home to Acklam.

Three of the four home tries, which at least earned a bonus point, came from catch-and-drives and Darlington were in the game at 19-22 shortly after half-time.

But they then conceded three tries in quick succession, plus a penalty, and there was no way back. They visit joint leaders Durham City tomorrow.

After winning their previous two games in Yorkshire Three, Northallerton lost 17-12 at Stocksbridge, who held out under fierce pressure in the last ten minutes.

North took an early lead through a converted try, but trailed 10-7 at half-time and fell further behind before gabbing a second try. They were denied at the end when they were twice held up over the line.