WITH their battle to avoid relegation boosted by the demise of London Welsh, Blaydon are seeking a rare away win at Fylde today.

The Lancastrians are two places ahead of Blaydon in National One and did them a favour last week by winning 31-29 away to Hull Ionians.

With only two to go down, second-bottom Ionians are two points behind Blaydon, who still have to visit Humberside.

After winning three of their last four, Micky Ward's men will hope to dominate up front with a pack lacking only back row man Gavin Jones, who is out for the season with a neck problem.

They can afford to have powerful prop Andrew Foster on the bench alongside Andrew Baggett, who is kept out of the No 10 slot by Brett Connon.

The only change in the backs sees Tom Grimes return on the wing for Fraser Wilson, who was injured last week.

The fact that London Welsh's debts were spiralling to £1.7m should have been identified earlier, according to Moseley coach Kevin Maggs.

The former Ireland centre welcomes Darlington Mowden Park to the Birmingham ground today frustrated by the fact that cost-cutting is to force him out of the job after seven years.

Had the Exiles' problems been spotted last season, Moseley would have survived the drop from the Championship and the loss of £530,000 in RFU funding.

Moseley were second when they won narrowly at the Northern Echo Arena, but have slipped to fourth.

Mowden recall Luca Petillo and Brandon Staples to the back row, with Joe Craggs reverting to lock, meaning there is no place for Rob Conquest, who has returned from Coventry.

Joel Gill returns on the wing for Will Murray, who was injured last week. Simon Uzokwe again has to settle for the bench, as do Garry Law, James Fitzpatrick and Callum Mackenzie.

Tynedale have climbed to seventh in National Two North, three places ahead of visitors Otley, who are also improving. Along with neighbours Harrogate and Wharfedale, they have moved clear of danger.

Billingham continue to name Peter Evans on the bench for the visit of Morley with his brother Joe at fly half and Elliott Husband at full back.

After the last-gasp win at Stockport, who gained their first point of the season in Three North, Billingham will be looking for an improvement against the third-bottom Yorkshire club.

The main pitch at Bloomfield Road is to be replaced by an artificial surface with work beginning on March 13. Billingham are also planning to refurbish the clubhhouse.

In the battle to keep pace with North One East leaders Pocklington, West Hartlepool face a crucial home game against third-placed Penrith, where they drew 13-13 in October.

Gavin Painter, Aaron Myeres and Anth Carr are away, so Zac Southern is at fly half with Luke Mallinson at full back and Rob Thorn back on the wing.

Pocklington will expect to pick up full points at home to Durham City, who have slipped dangerously close to the relegation places after four successive defeats.

Hartlepool Rovers' new coach, Jon Benson, will be in sight of his former school when he takes his team to Barnard Castle, who are marching towards a second successive promotion.

Five of their nine remaining games are at home, including the visits of their only serious title rivals in Durham and Northumberland One, Northern and Westoe.

After losing to Barney in an Acklam Park mudbath, Middlesbrough will be hoping for drier conditions at Gateshead to make use of the centre combination of Peter Homan and Andy Micklewright.

After moving above Boro in mid-table, Stockton entertain fourth-placed Horden.