DARLINGTON Mowden Park were not happy about several decisions which went against them in their 36-16 defeat at Rosslyn Park.

While they will want to cut the number of penalties when they entertain Old Albanians tomorrow, they felt some were harsh last Saturday.

None more so than the pivotal one shortly after they had reduced a 12-3 half-time deficit to one point. They had an attacking scrum 10 metres from the line, but after ignoring crooked feeds from both sides, the referee suddenly decided that scrum half Tim Duchesne's put-in was not straight.

The hosts cleared the danger and it marked the end of Mowden's ascendancy.

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, kicking four penalties during a 20-minute first-half period when Mowden were repeatedly pinged for a variety of offences.

Just as they did in their excellent win at Ampthill, Mowden opened up on the resumption and hooker Santiago Socino finished a complex move in the corner.

When fly half Caolan 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.

Ahead of tomorrow's derby at home to Stockton, Middlesbrough scrambled to a 17-14 win at Ryton, kicking the winning penalty 13 minutes from time. Boro scored their second converted try on the stroke of half-time to lead 14-7.

Stockton remain bottom of Durham and Northumberland One 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, while in division two Darlington remain in mid-table after losing 14-10 at home to Sunderland.

Northallerton are next to the bottom in Yorkshire Three following a 24-3 home defeat by Harrogate Pythons.

A torrential downpour for over an hour before kick-off promised conditions to suit North's forward-orientated game, but as the game started bright sunshine appeared.

Harrogate started the brighter and pressed North back into their 22 with excellent handling.

After five minutes, a clever kick over the top from the Harrogate winger was chased up and touched down in the corner to give the visitors a 5-0 lead.

North came straight back and, with the slight slope in their favour, were camped in the 22 for nearly 20 minutes, but emerged with only three points from a Jed Bainbridge penalty.

In the closing five minutes of the first half, Harrogate scored two similar tries through their larger forwards powering ahead before allowing their wingers to profit from the spaces created.

North made a couple of changes, replacing the injured Sam Taylor with Joe Terry and the tiring Phil Swall with James Baker.

But five minutes into the second half, Harrogate again took advantage of missed tackles to score an unconverted try.

North showed great spirit to keep Harrogate pinned in their own half for the remaining 35 minutes. They were kept out by some excellent tackling, mauling and scrummaging.

Two minutes from time, Simon Manthorpe grounded the ball over the line, but the referee was unsighted and could not award the try, much to the crowd's displeasure.

North travel to Old Otliensians tomorrow for what promises to be another tough encounter.

The seconds travelled to West Hartlepool full of confidence after the previous week's 85-5 win at Acklam, but returned on the wrong side of a 94-12 defeat, the tries coming from Rob Greene and Jack Swain.

The seconds are at home to Stocktonians tomorrow and are hoping the return of a few players will help them bounce back.