UNTIL Saturday there had been a big question mark over whether Darlington's former skipper David Glendenning could have as big an impact at National Three level as he did lower down the leagues.

Two years ago he opted for a player-coach's role at Gateshead, but his attempt to bridge the gap this season suddenly blossomed in a man of the match performance at full back.

It was just like the old days as, hungry to counter-attack and come into the line, he bounced off tackles, and he was also solid in defence.

Glendenning's selection saw David Kell switched to the left wing, where the youngster used his pace to score two tries in a personal tally of 23 points.

After overturning a 12-3 deficit after ten minutes to lead 13-12 at half-time, Darlington quickly found their best form and produced some sparkling attacks.

Four second half tries ensured another valuable bonus point and they are now only one point behind Mowden Park, although that doesn't mean they are out of trouble.

Darlington can go a long way towards ensuring safety by winning next week at Cleckheaton, who are one place below them.

After that they have a run of tough fixtures, but on Saturday's form they can beat anyone bar Halifax provided key players stay fit.

At half-time there was no reason to believe that an evenly-matched contest would not continue in the same vein. But Glendenning came into the line to set up two tries within ten minutes of the restart for Kell, and Tynedale had no answer to Darlington's extra gear.

It was only the visitors' fifth defeat of the season, and the first time they had conceded 30 points.

Tynedale's high-scoring full back Will Massey had an early impact. First he punished the otherwise solid Ben Snook for failing to find touch with a penalty by driving Darlington back almost to their own line with a superb kick and flanker Rowan Brown scored off the tail of a line-out.

Kell replied with a penalty, but then a Tynedale attack ended with a long pass going to ground but bouncing kindly for Massey to go under the posts for his tenth try of the season.

He added the conversion, but the match was almost in injury time with the score 30-12 before Tynedale scored again through young fly half Gavin Beasley.

Darlington dominated inbetween, even if the edge they gained in the second quarter carried little hint of the second half scintillation.

It was a big help that the young front row got to grips with the situation after struggling in the tight early on, and once Darlington started to go forward No 8 Del Lewis became increasingly prominent.

His opposite number Andrew Murray was Tynedale's best forward, while Newcastle Academy lock Sean Tomes occasionally drove on but was outplayed by Richard Snowball.

A lovely piece of skill by fly half Paul Lee, dummying to go outside an opponent before turning back inside to send Glendenning on a 20-metre run to the posts, provided Darlington's first half try.

Kell converted before adding his second penalty to secure the slender half-time lead.

After Kell's two tries, Snowball won a line-out on Tynedale's throw and Darlington drove over from 20 metres, flanker Michael Taylor touching down. Kell converted and with 20 minutes left the contest was as good as over.

Tynedale wingers Barry Hills and Ali Gray both put in strong late runs late, but on a day when he could do no wrong Glendenning stopped them both and even came away with the ball.

The visitors were rewarded by Beasley's try, but Darlington still came back with Paul Lee and Kell setting up Lewis to score.

The final score came when Murray, growing frustrated, flung out a lobbed pass in his own 22 which replacement centre Lee Davis intercepted. He was high tackled, prompting a brief fracas, and Kell landed the simple penalty.

Result: Darlington 38 Tynedale 19.