WHEN Darlington moved to Blackwell Meadows 11 years ago the clubhouse was modelled on the one built by today's visitors Rugby Lions during a period of great prosperity for the Midlanders.

But there were already signs that Rugby had over-reached themselves in climbing to the top flight as they had just been relegated, and as they continue to slide back whence they came most outside support will be for Darlington today.

Mowden Park and Blaydon want them to win by at least eight points so as to deny Rugby a bonus point and keep them in the third relegation spot in National Three North. And Blaydon's visitors Bedford Athletic apparently also want Darlington to win, even if it will make little difference to their own chances of survival.

Rugby have to visit Bedford in their final match on April 23 and have been warned to expect a warm reception as it was in the reverse fixture that they sent on a third overseas player when leading by only two points.

They won the match but subsequently had five points deducted for fielding the ineligible player, which left Bedford feeling aggrieved as they didn't benefit at all.

Back in the days when Rugby were a club to look up to, Darlington could hardly have expected to cross swords with them in the future as Blackwell Meadows was then playing host to Durham and Northumberland Division One matches.

Having lost away to the Lions in league and Powergen Cup in September, Darlington's player-coach Craig Lee said: "We feel we owe them one. At the start of this four-match run were looking at it as a mini-season because we knew if we won them all we would be safe. We haven't managed a bonus point, but we've got 12 out of a possible 15 and we'll be going for the bonus point against Rugby."

Skipper Martin Shaw has confirmed that he is prepared to play for Mowden at Cleckheaton, despite a stomach muscle injury. If he fails to get through the game Mark Bedworth will switch to fly half, with Michael Georgiou coming off the bench.

Even without unavailable prop Danny Brown, Mowden's forward strength is underlined by the fact that they have Matt Wright on the bench, while Fosita Tanginoa and Luke Monument will be with the second team at Harrogate.

Middlesbrough have skipper Gavin Fingland back for their North One match at home to Morley. His late replacement for the win against leaders Preston Grasshoppers, Mark Kerruish, switches from open side to No 6 in place of the Ben Pattinson.

Dale Sawdon starts at tight head with Craig Chapman on the bench, but with Dave Richardson injured Simon Moore continues at fly half.