DARLINGTON Mowden Park were on the receiving end of a Rosslyn Park backlash as a run of three wins was ended by a 36-16 away defeat.

The Londoners had responded to losing their opening four games in National One by shaking up the coaching, including giving fly half Scott Sneddon responsibility for the backs.

He landed eight kicks out of nine, punishing Mowden's first half indiscipline with four penalties for a 12-3 lead after Caolan Ryan had struck first.

Just as they did in winning at Ampthill, Mowden opened up on the resumption and hooker Santiago Socino scored in the corner.

When Ryan landed his second penalty, the gap was down to one, but the hosts' introduction of England Under 18s scrum half Rory Brand added a spark and he scored two tries.

There was also a catch-and-drive following a penalty, while replacement back row man Callum Mackenzie scored for Mowden.

After running out of steam in losing their first four games, Blaydon came back from 24-5 down at half-time to snatch a 24-24 draw at home to Macclesfield.

The visitors scored two tries when Blaydon lost Jason Smithson to the sin-bin, swiftly followed by lock Anthony Davies with a knee injury.

The unfamiliar home backs also took time to settle defensively, but the experienced Blaydon forwards took control in the second half.

Hooker Jack Beckwith scored his second try shortly after the break before making way for Matt Thompson, and ten minutes later prop Robbie Kalbraier was driven over.

With six minutes left they pushed Macclesfield off their own scrum ball and sent winger Tom Grimes over in the corner. Given the chance to cap a promising debut, young fly half Ryan Foreman's conversion was on target until it faded left at the last second.

Tynedale also drew 24-24 in their Two North match at Sedgley Park, who needed a late try to preserve their unbeaten record.

It was always close as both teams scored four tries, the returning Ash Smith adding Tynedale's two conversions. Winger Henry Hadfield scored a brace, the other tries came from centre Will Miller and prop Ben Haigh.

Billingham maintained their impressive home form in Three North as they beat Wirral 35-12. Peter Evans kicked three penalties and converted three of the four tries, scored by Elliot Husband, Danny Dixon, Luke Wilson and Sean Wallace.

West Hartlepool continue to set a hot pace at the top of North One East, winning 61-10 at home to Bradford and Bingley with Gavin Painter converting eight of the nine tries.

Six came in the first half, two of them for full back Zac Southern. There was also a brace for centre Liam Checksfield, who intercepted on halfway for his first and took a cross-field kick by Painter on the run for the final score.

Ryan Painter linked well with his brother to score, a Sam Miller break put Peter Youll over and lock Jay Corbett crashed through three tackles to touch down. Lee Maddison and replacement Adam Coates completed the rout.

Gateshead lost the last unbeaten record in Durham and Northumberland One when visitors Hartlepool staged a remarkable fightback.

Trailing 27-0 just after half-time, they changed tactics to deny the home backs the ball and ran out 29-27 winners.

Ahead of this week's derby at home to Stockton, Middlesbrough scrambled to a 17-14 win at Ryton, while Stockton remain bottom after a 13-6 home defeat by Medicals.

Two Steve Bartliff penalties ensured they claimed a bonus point as they were beaten by a fitter side.

Barnard Castle moved up to fourth place with an 18-8 home win against Consett, leapfrogging Horden, who lost 52-17 at Northern.