DARLINGTON Mowden Park have done it. In the most dramatic climax imaginable they clinched promotion to National One, the third tier of English rugby.

They won the play-off against Ampthill, the visitors from Bedfordshire, 30-28 after extra time, which was needed with the scores level at 25-25 after 80 minutes.

With an extra ten minutes each way to be played, Ampthill went ahead in the first period through a penalty and looked certain to hang on.

But Mowden were in possession when time ran out and the referee could not blow for time until there was a break down in play. They continually recycled the ball for four minutes, knowing that one knock-on would end it, and were finally awarded a penalty five metres from the line.

South African scrum half Zylon McGaffin took it quickly and scrambled over the line for the sweetest of parting gifts in his final game for the club, prompting scenes of jubilation from another bumber crowd at The Northern Echo Arena.