A DOUBLE-header weekend brought the Durham Wildcats no luck as they were edged out in the final seconds of both BBL games.

The match-ups against Mersey Tigers and Plymouth Raiders each saw Durham lose out by five, but they did lead in both, and head coach Dave Elderkin took a number of positives from the weekend.

He said: "We had a number of English players who really stepped up [against Mersey].

"Some of our big players didn't really turn up, so it was good for some of the English guys to come on and play well.

"Fred [Hinnenkamp] has been in real pain with a rib injury so could only play in bursts, which was obviously a blow to us."

Wildcats first game was an away encounter with Mersey and despite being above them in the league, Eldkerin was not keen to underestimate the home side.

He said: "There was a lot of hype around this game and people were saying it was one we should win.

"But Mersey are a good side and I really can't see why people are writing them off."

Elderkin's men were up against the wall early on and trailed 39-44 at halftime.

Mario Flaherty levelled the game up at 46-46 but a Mersey 14-4 run put the home side back in control and led 65-64 going in to the final period.

Flaherty once again led the Wildcats' charge and got them back to within three points at 67-64.

Elderkin brothers Paul and Mark put Durham in to the lead and with a minute to go led 79-78. They could not hold on however, as Mersey took back the lead and the game 85-81.

After Friday's disappointment, Durham returned to Newton Aycliffe on Saturday to face Plymouth Raiders.

Plymouth had suffered a huge defeat at the hands of North East BBL giants Newcastle Eagles the day before and looked to be in no mood to have a repeat against Wildcats.

A tight first half saw Durham trail by only two at 37-39 and kept themselves in contention.

The beginning of the second half belonged to the home side as they tore away on an 18-0 run to lead 55-45.

But Raiders came back and an 18-2 run of their own saw them take back the lead 63-59 with the final ten minutes to play.

The visitors then extended their lead to 10 points at 71-61, but as has been the case with Durham this season they never gave up and reduced the gap to a single possession.

But Plymouth held on to take the game 80-75.