BLAYDON maintained their unbeaten record in National Three North when David Dalrymple kicked a difficult penalty in the eighth minute of injury time to clinch a 17-16 home win against New Brighton.

In a duel between two excellent kickers, Blaydon had fallen behind for the first time ten minutes earlier when Tony Birley landed his third penalty.

After dominating the first 55 minutes they suddenly looked likely to lose, but Colin Duncan broke through the middle and after a good line-out drive the decisive penalty was awarded a metre in from the right touchline.

Director of Rugby Nick Gandy had to play on the wing, with Duncan switching to centre after Matt Dehaty and Andy Kahn failed fitness tests.

Both sides scored one try, Blaydon's coming after 33 minutes when Dalrymple broke and flung out a long pass for full back Ross Windle to race over in the corner.

Dalrymple's second penalty stretched the half-time lead of 8-3, but the visiting scrum half nipped through a gap to score a converted try and set up the pulsating climax.

Promoted Midlands club Longton slipped below Darlington at the bottom of the table when they lost 34-20 at Tynedale.

But Darlington could find themselves on minus two points today when the National Clubs' Association make their ruling on the club's inability to raise sufficient front row men for the game at Fylde.

Scotland international Jamie Murray scored 29 of Tynedale's points with two tries, five penalties and two conversions, lifting his side to fourth place.

Middlesbrough reached the third round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup with a 32-5 home win against Houghton.

Boro immediately went 5-0 down when they knocked on and from the resulting scrum the Houghton full back broke through to score.

The visitors, bottom of Durham and Northumberland One after five defeats, continued to battle hard and defended heroically.

But once scrum half Ali Little had nipped through a gap to score after ten minutes Boro were in control.

A long pass from full back Ian Bircham almost on his own line launched the attack which brought the second try, with Andy Micklewright making 50 metres before exchanging passes with winger Ross McNeill to score.

Danny Bishop added his second conversion and a penalty made it 17-5 at half-time.

Veteran lock John Dixon scored two tries when he took the ball at the front of the line-out and was driven over. He then retired after 60 minutes and centre Lee Davies scored the final try in the corner.

Horden won their tie 34-15 at Hartlepool Rovers, completing a derby double after their league win against West Hartlepool.

Horden trailed 15-12 until Andrew Turner levelled the scores with a penalty after 70 minutes and he also converted two of their three late tries.

With 19-year-old No 8 Michael Charlton outstanding, the Rovers forwards stuck at their task until they were ground down and fitness told in the last ten minutes.

Rovers full back Phil Hall scored after ten minutes, Horden winger Paul Bruce replied then just before half-time Andrew Lilley won the chase after a kick ahead and Rovers led 10-7.

Stuart Langstone finished off a forward drive to put them further ahead, but after 60 minutes Horden began to get on top.

The forwards drove 25 metres for prop Michael Thompson to score, then straight after Turner's penalty came an excellent try.

With Andrew Temple and Paul Armstrong prominent, the forwards made ground from the restart and full back Andrew Evans scored.

He was kneed in the back as he touched down and had to retire, with Lilley being shown a yellow card.

Lock Michael Thubron and centre David Grand scored the last two tries.

In the Powergen Junior Vase Northallerton maintained their 100 per cent record with a 27-7 home win against Baildon. They scored five tries through James Read, Ed Pratt, Matty Bell, Ben Allerton and Brian Tucker, who added a conversion.