AFTER failing to pick up a point in a run of three tough games, Darlington Mowden Park will be desperate to win away to National One's bottom club Macclesfield tomorrow.

They were unlucky to emerge with nothing from last Saturday's 15-7 home defeat by Birmingham Moseley, especially as a poor decision by the referee robbed them of a certain try.

He appeared to take the word of his touch judge that there had been a knock-on, much to the annoyance of most of the 1,079 fans.

Mowden attracted a four-figure crowd for the first time this season, possibly helped by staging a double-header with their women's team, the Sharks.

The ladies also pushed more illustrious rivals all the way before losing 28-20 to Premiership champions Richmond.

The men's match was not a great spectacle, partly because the referee showed little interest in letting the game flow, resulting in a scrappy second half.

Following the defeats at Plymouth and Loughborough, this third successive setback dropped Mowden to 11th place. But there was little to choose between them and second-placed Moseley and a win tomorrow should kick-start a climb up the table.

They found last season that a settled side helps and they are some way from that, with newcomers being introduced and people coming back from injury.

Making their debuts were loose head Josh Bergmanas, on loan from Doncaster, and flanker David Fisher, who was signed in the summer from Plymouth, who had only just released the paperwork.

While Rory Duff continues to perform well at No 8 and Joe Craggs at open side, four players have been tried at blind side and the permutations will continue when Ollie Hodgson and the dynamic Simon Uzokwe are fit.

In the face of excellent defence, Moseley showed little flair and were never likely to score from open play. Both their tries resulted from line-out drives.

They went ahead after 12 minutes, but Mowden came back with the only creative try of the match. Lock Talite Vaioleti appeared at outside centre to make a strong break before the ball was moved left and full back Will Murray finished well.

Previously selected on the wing, he looked a threat, while wingers Adam Radwan and Joel Gill were lively on the few occasions they had the ball.

Caolan Ryan's conversion put Mowden ahead and his chip after 35 minutes should have produced a try. James Fitzpatrick gathered the ball and his offload to Chris Auld put his fellow centre clear with 25 metres to go.

Although the ball had gone to ground, it had not gone forward, yet the officials decided there had been a knock-on.

It was a crucial error in a tight game and when Moseley kicked another penalty to the corner and rumbled for the line, Mowden's interference resulted in a penalty try.

Foiling another catch-and-drive 14 minutes into the second half earned acting captain James Penman a yellow card, but Mowden looked the more likely to score during his absence.

An early penalty for Moseley provided the only points of the second half, but there was always a chance that Mowden would break out and score. The closest they came, however, was when Auld made good ground from a quickly-taken penalty.

Ryan tried a long-range shot at goal with the last kick in the hope of securing a bonus point.

In Durham and Northumberland One, second-placed Barnard Castle claimed another notable scalp.

After beating Middlesbrough, they went to Hartlepool Rovers and won 40-22, with fly half Greg Upton converting all five tries before skipper Adam Kicks scored his second at the death.

He also made the break for Ed Kirby to score the first, then full back Chris McTurk's chip and chase earned the first of his brace. Dan Potts also touched down.

Stockton continued their improvement with a 28-20 win at Horden, after taking an early lead when full back Dan Phinn raced over.

Winger Steven Bartliff racked up 18 points with two tries, two conversions and a penalty. Fly half Jonny Horner scored the other try.

Middlesbrough won 36-19 at home to Gateshead after coming back from an early deficit to lead 31-7 at half-time.

Scrum half Connor Foley opened the account by grabbing the first of his two tries, then prop Myles Colvin was twice driven over.

Lock Toby Tremlett capped a fine performance with a try and Matthew Todd added all the conversions plus a penalty.

Northallerton carried on their good form of the previous week, Sam Taylor scoring his second try a minute from time to clinch a 26-22 win at Leeds Modernians.

North were without the influential Joe Terry and vice-captain Jonny Franks, but welcomed back Taylor and Phil Swall.

They made a sluggish start and fell 8-0 behind before a few inspirational words from coach James Hopkin fired them up.

North finally put some pressure on the home team, who defended heroically for the next 15 minutes, then caught North on the break with an interception try to go in at half-time 15-0 in front.

The visiting forwards continued on the front foot and were rewarded after five minutes with a try from Joe Oselton, who brushed aside three tacklers for Jedd Bainbridge to convert.

A defensive mix-up allowed a Leeds flanker to collect a loose ball in midfield before offloading for his winger to touch down under the posts.

Again 15 points adrift, North began to make their forward dominance count with more space created for the backs.

Halfway through the second half, Xander Metcalfe had time to weigh up his options just outside his own 22 and set off on a mazy run.

Showing deceptive pace, he glided past numerous Leeds players before touching down under the posts.

The home team seemed shellshocked as North began to over-run them, the next try coming when Taylor easily outpaced a home winger and side-stepped the full back to score out wide.

A minute from time he again prospered from good forward work when he took an audacious pass from Simon Manthorpe and cut inside his opposite number to race over. Bainbridge again converted.

Northallerton are at home to Leeds Medics and Dentists tomorrow (kick-off 2.15pm) and the seconds hope to be back in action at Redcar after their game at home to Whitby was called off at short notice.