THERE was a big cheer from the fans as Darlington ensured their survival in National Three North with the last move of the match.

It earned their fourth try and the bonus point took them 11 points clear of Rugby, who cannot catch them and are firm favourites to remain in the third relegation spot.

In fact, the fear of relegation suddenly became a distant memory for Darlington as their fourth successive win lifted them to the heady heights of seventh place.

They will aim even higher next season with a maturing pack who proved again that they will not be intimated against opponents who provoked three scraps in the first 15 minutes.

There were a lot of blond streaks in the Rugby team but precious few highlights in their play, and they had little to offer beyond a competitive front five.

The job was as good as done by the time Darlington lost centres Lee Davies and Craig Lee, plus lock Richard Snowball, through injury and there will not be too much concern if they aren't fit for Saturday's trip to New Brighton.

In their absence stalwarts like Matt Dilworth and Michael Taylor soldiered on and got the job done, with Taylor being credited with the final try.

It stemmed from David Glendenning's mishit penalty, which needed a lucky bounce to find touch at the corner. Taylor soared to catch the throw-in and half the backs piled in to help drive the maul over in triumphant fashion.

Four tries had looked unlikely when Darlington led only 6-3 after a dreadful first half of more fits than starts. The first fracas erupted when Rugby centre Matt Goode - one of the streaked brigade - was penalised for not releasing and they were sent back a further ten metres for disputing it. Goode was sin-binned and David Kell kicked the 35-metre penalty.

After another scrap Glendenning kicked the penalty to touch then, from the line-out possession, he burst through the middle and was stopped just short, Rugby conceding another penalty for Kell to make it 6-0.

When Snowball then wrapped his arm vigorously round an opponent's neck as Darlington drove a maul there was another flare-up, after which visiting lock Simon Hepher retired with a hand injury.

The penalty again went to Darlington and after a good move up the left Davies almost put Kell over.

Although they were clearly the better side, things looked slightly ominous for Darlington when, on the stroke of half-time, flanker Martin Howe was sin-binned for handling on the deck under the posts and the spoiling visitors reduced the gap to 6-3.

Darlington, however, have made a habit of producing a decisive thrust after the interval and they scored two tries in Howe's absence.

The first stemmed from the dithering of the visitors' young fly half on the restart. His delayed pass resulted in a knock-on and after No 8 Del Lewis drove off the scrum the ball was moved left and when Kell was stopped just short prop Joe Oselton followed up to drive over.

Four minutes later a similar move with Glendenning in the line allowed Kell to race over in the corner and he added a superb conversion.

When Howe returned he had to go into the centre as Craig Lee was limping off, with Joe Naga taking over in the back row.

Kell added a 40-metre penalty before Rugby replied to make it 21-6, then with ten minutes left an astute grubber kick by Paul Lee had to be hastily hacked into touch by Rugby's full back.

From the resulting line-out drive hooker Dan Oselton emerged as the try scorer, and the injury time repeat by Taylor ensured a night of celebration.

Result: Darlington 31 Rugby Lions 6.