DARLINGTON MOWDEN PARK are planning to punish Blaydon's second half frailties by hitting them hard from the bench today.

Blockbusting flanker Simon Uzokwe, last season's leading try scorer, will make his first appearance of the season following injury, and powerful winger Shaun McCartney is also back after working abroad.

The bench is completed by former Blaydon pair James Fitzpatrick and Darren Fearn, plus Welsh flanker Jack Jones, who was injured in his second game.

Fitzpatrick's impact from the bench has seen him score several tries, including the one which sparked the late fightback to snatch a draw against Coventry last week.

It was reminiscent of the early September surge to pip Blaydon after the visitors had controlled the first half. It set a trend which has become worryingly familiar for a side who see today's home match as their last chance to kick-start a survival bid.

Mowden are fourth from bottom but are nine points ahead of Blaydon and victory would allow them to breathe more easily.

They have yet to taste National One victory at Crow Trees, however, and will hope to withstand what could be a fiery opening before unleashing Uzokwe in the second half.

Originally signed as a prop, the Sunderland University student was tried at hooker early last season before converting to the back row.

He is dual-registered with Newcastle Falcons, who were interested in making use of his pace and power on the wing.

New Zealander Maia Gibbs is preferred at scrum half over Tim Duchesne in the only change from last week's starting line-up. Garry Law continues to have injury problems.

Blaydon will rely on their experienced men up front to take control. They include ex-Mowden men in Matt Thompson, Chris Wearmouth and Jason Smithson, with Robbie Kalbraier on the bench.

While they will want to start strongly, the evidence so far suggests they will need to pace themselves if they are to sustain their effort for 80 minutes.

Brett Connon is at full back and Tom Small is in the centre, having only recently recovered after being injured at Mowden.

After their winning run was ended at home to Stourbridge last week, Tynedale hope to complete a National Two North double away to struggling Harrogate.

The Yorkshire club's visit in September witnessed the first match at Corbridge since last December's floods and Tynedale have since tended to perform better on their travels.

They are without powerful Cumbrian backs Harry Hadfield and Will Miller, but Dan Taylor and Ash Smith return.

Harrogate have signed former Exeter Academy fly half Sam Fox, but he will not be available until next month. They include former Barnard Castle School twins, Guy and Jonny Coser, in the back row, plus ex-Mowden man Tom Larder at hooker.

Billingham are without any of the Evans brothers for their trip to Waterloo, who are next to the bottom of Three North with only two wins.

With Martin Hopley returning, the fly half vacancy could be filled by Adam Gardner, whose former Darlington team-mate Dom McAlorum returns to the second row.

West Hartlepool are again depleted for the trip to Driffield, who have slipped to fourth bottom in North One East since losing by only a point at West.

Hooker Andrew Rollins is absent for the first time this season, so Ross Wood deputises and 17-year-old Jake Linighan continues in the second row after impressing on his debut.

Eldon Myers returns at centre for Liam Checksfield, who is away at another Scottish Exiles Under 18s training camp.

Durham City will hope to get back to winning ways away to bottom club Wheatley Hills.

Barnard Castle should benefit from a week's rest as they tackle the tricky test at Gosforth, who have improved since being well beaten in the reverse fixture.

Gosforth snatched a one-point win last week at Stockton, who beat Barney the previous week and will be aiming to keep all 16 players on the field at Hartlepool.

Playing most of last week's match with 14 men, 15 minutes with 13 and five minutes with 12 eventually took its toll. No 8 Martin Dixon is suspended following his red card.

Phil Austen replaces unavailable lock Phil Douglas, Matty Crowe is at scrum half, allowing Jonny Horner to return at centre.