FEARS that Darlington's impressive rise to National Three North will prove shortlived have evidently not afflicted the 15 players on duty on Saturday.

They showed guts and determination to turn round a game which seemed to have slipped away from them and clinch their second win.

Quite what would have happened had they suffered any injuries doesn't bear thinking about given the paucity of back-up in most areas. But they battled to the end, showing the value of fitness work they have done recently with the club steward.

That does not involve lifting pints at the bar as David Brown is a former army physical training instructor.

After a poor first half, in which there were so many knock-ons that it featured 30 scrums, Darlington led 8-3.

With fans still wondering whether they had turned to the boot of Mark Butler out of desperation, it seemed the lack of a goal-kicker would again prove costly when he missed a penalty from almost under the posts six minutes after the break.

Almost immediately the Grasshoppers' kicker converted a try from the right touchline, then another converted try put them 17-8 ahead after 63 minutes.

In similar circumstances four weeks ago Darlington caved in against Dudley Kingswinford, but this time they had enough strength, stamina and resolve to fight back.

A simple penalty and a converted try edged them a point in front with four minutes to go, then they scored another try in the fourth minute of injury time.

But in a game of many stoppages there was still time for Grasshoppers to launch a high-speed break-out from their own 22. They kicked a penalty to touch at the corner and were held out, then Darlington turned the ball over at a ruck under the posts and cleared to huge sighs of relief.

Tireless flanker Martin Howe was outstanding in all aspects for Darlington and there were other notable performances from lock Richard Snowball and the front row of Joe Osleton, Dan Miller and Paul Shepherd.

Newcomer Shepherd had an excellent first half against his former club, but when he tired with 20 minutes left Darlington's lack of resources forced them to switch Rob Goddard from blind side to hooker with Miller reverting to prop.

Butler went from wing to blind side in the reshuffle and shortly afterwards a penalty under the posts gave him the chance to atone for his earlier miss and kick-start the fightback.

It was almost nipped in the bud when Preston winger Russell Flynn intercepted on halfway and looked certain to score, only for his kick ahead to trickle over the dead ball line just before he got there.

With four minutes of normal time left Darlington kicked a penalty to touch, and with full back Craig Lee coming into the line the ball was quickly recycled in midfield. Paul Lee slipped a well-timed pass to Howe, who surged through a gap to score just left of the posts, Butler converting.

In injury time the forwards drove on for the umpteenth time after another penalty to touch and were held up on the line. But then Preston knocked on behind their own line and from near the posts Darlington moved the ball right for Craig Lee to slip the ball back inside for his brother, Paul, to squeeze in at the right corner.

It still wasn't over as a converted try would have won it for Preston, and the dramatic finale was in stark contrast to a first half in which the only try came after 11 minutes when Miller was driven over from a line-out.

The power of centre Tosh McIntee and the pace off the mark of scrum half Rob Stewart often carried Darlington forward, but the first half handling was never crisp enough to threaten more tries.

There was an exchange of penalties just before half-time, and following a warning that the next infringement would bring a yellow card Shepherd was sin-binned, with Preston lock Mike Bailey following six minutes after the break.

Preston's first try came from a line-out when a simple tap back to the thrower, Stuart Sylvester, allowed him to score in the corner.

Then they broke from halfway with Flynn giving a perfectly-timed pass to full back Gary Monaghan, who flew past two tackles to race round under the posts.

It looked all over, but rumours of Darlington's demise have obviously been greatly exaggerated.

Result: Darlington 23 Preston Grasshoppers 17.