THE Darlington derby in the first round of the Durham Cup is to be played on Wednesday, April 16 at Mowden Park.

It became the only available date when both teams decided they didn't want to play the match before completing their league programmes and the county ruled out Saturday, April 19.

The final is scheduled for the following Saturday and Stockton, who visit the winners, were understandably reluctant to play the semi-final in midweek.

There could still be a problem if Darlington find themselves in a promotion play-off as they will not want to jeopardise their chances of joining Mowden in National Three North.

But as long as they win their remaining four games they will finish top and gain automatic promotion.

They will leap from third to top by winning at home to bottom club Sandal tomorrow, when neither Macclesfield nor Cleckheaton have a game.

Darlington's points difference of 338 is around 100 better than that of their two rivals and should be greatly enhanced against a Sandal side they beat 46-0 away from home last week.

Apparently relations were quite cordial afterwards and Sandal assured Darlington they were anxious to fulfil a fixture for which they have twice failed to raise a team.

Darlington also have to play third-bottom Huddersfield at home, then visit fourth-bottom Aspatria and finish off on April 12 at fifth-placed Birkenhead Park.

If they are promoted they will gain automatic entry to the Powergen Cup as a national league club, along with Mowden and Blaydon, so the one place available via the Durham Cup will go to Stockton or Westoe, who will have to play off if both lose in the semi-finals.

That's assuming Blaydon's slump doesn't end in relegation. They are currently fifth from the bottom of Three North and there is a chance that five could go down.

Blaydon have no game tomorrow and it is now looking vital that they win at home to Hull Ionians next week.

Mowden visit fourth-placed Halifax tomorrow and could have a problem at full back as Iain Dixon suffered a rib injury at Bedford.

The loss of players at Blaydon was highlighted when they failed to fulfil a second team game at Darlington last week, but they are contesting the Durham Third Teams Cup final against Mowden at Durham City tomorrow.

The match kicks off at 1.30 with the Fourth Teams Shield final between Consett and Westoe following at 3pm. Consett are surprise finalists as they rarely field a fourth team.

The Second Teams Cup final between Billingham and Westoe kicks off at 3pm at Sunderland.

Middlesbrough have a rearranged game at home to Hull and bring in former Durham County prop Dale Sawdon for his first match of the season.

He replaces unavailable tight head Chris Horton, while Dave Hinchley comes in at lock with Jason Malcolm on the bench. Steve Wallis switches to centre and Danny Poole is on the wing.

* Newcastle Falcons' Liam Botham has had a groin operation and will miss the next Premiership match at Gloucester on April 5. He hopes to return for the last four games, starting at home to Northampton on April 20.