Darlington'S player-coach Phil Lancaster will be on the bench for the third successive week today, hoping for another match-winning performance from players half his age.

The home match against Macclesfield, which kicks off at 2.30, is a key game in the North One promotion tussle, but Lancaster has no qualms about keeping faith with a home-bred front five with an average age of 20.

He is being kept out by Dan Miller, who is home from Bath University, and says: "The lads are too good - I can't get in the team.

"Joe Osleton is in really good form, Dan has benefited greatly from being with the Bath Development squad and with Dan Osleton inbetween them we have a front row who hold their own in the tight and contribute really well around the field.

"I have enjoyed playing for 30 years, but it's also nice to see good young lads coming through, and it's good for the club to see the benefits of the youth policy.

"I'll probably play next week as Dan is going back to Bath for a couple of games. My match fitness isn't too much of a worry, but I've had a few knocks and bumps and it takes longer to get over them as you get older."

The average age of the front five will be raised by a few months by Dave Inman returning in place of Tom Wilkinson to partner Richard Snowball at lock.

"Tom has done very well for us in the last couple of weeks," said Lancaster, who will be 39 next month. "We're not quite sure whether he's a second row or a back row, but once they've done their job in the tight the back five are almost inter-changeable."

While Lancaster keeps the bench warm, former skipper David Andrew is enjoying his return to the side at scrum half after missing all but the first match last season with a broken arm.

His chance arose when Rob Stewart began to suffer knee trouble, leading to an operation two weeks ago. He is expected to be back in full training in a couple of weeks, but will not be rushed into action as long as Andrew is performing well.

Darlington won 20-19 at Macclesfield three weeks ago, but the Cheshire club have since won more convincingly at Birkenhead Park than Darlington did at home to the Merseysiders.

"We didn't play particularly well against Birkenhead," said Lancaster. "Our performances are starting to come together, but there is still a lot more to come.

"Our late-season form last year was good and that's what we need now. When all the passes go to hand somebody will be on the end of a real drubbing.

"I hope it's Macclesfield, but we're taking nothing for granted. Another one-point win would do nicely."

Tosh McIntee, who has had a big impact coming off the bench in the last two weeks, will start at centre as Dave Haswell is unavailable.

Darlington Mowden Park will again have Tony Irwin in the back row for the National Three North match at Tynedale, which kicks off at 2pm.

With a heel operation imminent, Irwin is unlikely to get through 80 minutes, but Mowden feels it's worth having him on the park for as long as he lasts.

They have won all three of their previous National League encounters against Tynedale, and even though the Corbridge club are well ahead of them in the table Mowden are confident of victory.

Winger James Tyrrell has recovered from injury, but has to settle for bench duties following an impressive performance by Steve Jones last week.

There was some good news for Mowden this week when Kevan Oliphant resumed light training, although there is still no guarantee he will play again.

Rather than have an operation, he is hoping to build up his knee through strengthening work and should know in about six weeks what the future holds.

The other fly half, Jonny Golightly, has had a successful knee operation but will not be able to resume training until June.

Newcastle Falcons attempt to overturn a 19-point deficit against Treviso in tomorrow's home leg of their Parker Pen Challenge Cup second round tie.

There were allegations of eye-gouging after last week's 27-8 defeat in Italy, while among those hit by coins thrown from the crowd was Newcastle physio Marten Brewer. The Falcons management let it be known they were not happy, but decided to leave matters in the hands of European Rugby Cup officials.

Liam Botham was among those alleged to have been gouged after touching down his try, which was followed by a mass brawl.

* Durham Schools 18 Group beat Yorkshire 28-24 at Darlington with tries from wingers Hamer (Barnard Castle) and Judge (East Durham CC) and scum half Dickson (Barnard Castle). Fly half Kell (Durham) added two conversions and two penalties and landed a further penalty after the break.

Durham take on Cumbria today (12.00) at Durham City.