IT was a grim day for the Teessiders in National Three North as Billingham's fate was effectively sealed in a 14-13 home defeat by Beverley while Middlesbrough plunged back into trouble.

Boro could have taken a big stride to safety by winning at home to Beverley, but they lost 27-11 to slip back below their visitors into the third relegation spot.

With four games left, Boro need to win the next two at home to Lymm and Waterloo and it may come down to the return fixture with Beverley in the final match on May 7.

Things got off to a bad start for Boro when Callum Campbell fainted in the warm-up. The other winger, Jack Bircham, limped off after 30 minutes and Beverley's four tries all came from the wingers.

Flanker Rory Duff was outstanding, but all Boro's points came from full back Simon Moore. Two penalties gave them hope but his late try was a mere consolation.

Darlington Mowden Park still have an outside chance of claiming the play-off place after their 62-17 win at home to bottom club Rochdale.

Winger Robin Eatough, who scored for the Newcastle Falcons A team in last Monday's defeat at Worcester, took his tally to 29 tries in 24 league games by bagging five.

Liam Riley, the 17-year-old flanker, impressed on his first start and was among the scorers as the first three tries came from forwards. James Knox and Michael Forde also touched down and the fourth came from Richie Young, pressed into service at scrum half after Martyn Lithgo pulled a hamstring.

Hooker Will Kay also scored, but he and Charlie Masarella were hamstring victims after Mowden had used all their subs, so they played the last ten minutes with 13 men.

In National One, Blaydon produced a brave effort before conceding a flurry of late tries to lose 38-7 away to leaders London Scottish.

Blaydon remain five points ahead of third-bottom Redruth, who could only draw at home to Macclesfield.

There was no change in the battle for the promotion play-off place in National Two North as Westoe won 48-24 at home to Luctonians but Leicester Lions also won at Morley and Loughborough Students beat runaway leaders Fylde.

West Hartlepool need one more win to take the North One East title after coming back from 17-6 down after an hour to win 25-17 at Wheatley Hills.

The decisive game in Durham and Northumberland One comes this week when Gateshead visit third-placed Alnwick. There was no change at the top as the Tynesiders won 43-0 at home to Ashington and Darlington came back from 7-0 down to win 57-10 at Novos.