DARLINGTON Mowden Park hooker Danny Brown has been handed a three-match ban after being sent off at Waterloo.

The video clearly showed that Brown retaliated after being butted by an opposing lock, who was suspended for five weeks.

Brown misses tomorrow's match at home to Dudley Kingswinford, next week's trip to Tynedale and the visit of Liverpool St Helens.

Matt Hall, who held the hooker's position at the start of the season, is expected to return after a five-week injury absence, especially as another contender, Chris Strong, has a neck problem.

Fourth from bottom in National Three North, with four likely to go down, Mowden are now in a situation where they need to win all their home games and are grateful to have scrum half Richard Holbrough back after recovering from his hand injury.

Blaydon have lost fly half Colin Duncan for at least two months with a broken leg and call up David Dalrymple after a year's absence for the visit of second-placed New Brighton.

The Northumbria University student will also take over the goal-kicking duties this week while Blaydon decide whether to recall James Lofthouse over the Christmas period.

Now working in London, Lofthouse has apparently taken up boxing but has said he will help out at Blaydon after testing his new skills in a tournament on Tuesday.

Andy Foreman reverts to scrum half as Mick Dungait has taken up an invitation to play in the Dubai Sevens, which leaves Blaydon short of wingers, especially as Nick Gandy is out for a month with a knee injury.

Sean Hannah is also injured, so Kevin McCallum is required at full back, while newly-signed Dutch international Gerard Viguurs makes his debut at centre.

No 8 Tom McLaren is out with a rib injury, but leading try scorer, Dan Harper, returns at prop after being rested last week because of the restriction to two overseas players.

Middlesbrough visit North Two East leaders Bradford and Bingley without player-coach John Dixon and utility back Andy Micklewright as both are on police duties.

Carl Burnett is also out with a shoulder injury, so John Waddington is at fly half with Steve Wallis and Mark Featherstone back at centre. Full back Danny Bishop will have the goal-kicking role.

Hooker Richard Horton returns after hamstring trouble and Mark O'Halloran will start in place of Dixon.

* Horden have been drawn at home to Bromsgrove, who are a level above them in Midlands One, on the fifth round of the Powergen Intermediate Cup on December 21.

In the Junior Vase, Seaton Carew visit Worksop, while Ponteland are away to Bradford Salem.