THERE was frustration and plenty of satisfaction for Darlington Mowden Park when promotion-chasing Fylde came from behind to earn a draw at The Northern Echo Arena.

Mowden held the upperhand for much of the game after earning the early lead through a penalty try converted by the in-form Garry Law.

Law’s success with the boot was the story of the afternoon for Mowden – who also scored a couple of penalty tries – and his points meant his side entered half-time with a steady 19-12 lead.

After Law had added a further penalty to the scoreline, Fylde found some momentum and went on to score five tries, including one which ultimately secured a 29-29 draw in the dying seconds.

Had that been converted Mowden would have lost but Fylde also missed a drop goal with the last move – and the home side were encouraged by another decent outing which failed to end in victory.

Players’ manager Kevin Robinson said: “We gave them more than they had expected. They scored five tries, but our kicker was on form and kept us in the game.

“Apart from a game at Wharfedale, where we only had 13 men on the pitch for most of the game, we have always been in the games. We have accrued three losing bonus points out of five losses and Saturday showed we can compete with the teams at the top of the league.

“According to Fylde they were short of forwards and we scored two penalty tries because we dominated that forward area. Unfortunately in the last few minutes we conceded another try. They could have won it but I think we deserved something.”

West Hartlepool’s inconsistencies continued at Driffield, where the home side edged a 25-19 success.

Driffield were relieved in the end to come away with the win because they were twice down to 14 men but those on the pitch dug deep in North East One.

As well as the defeat, West also have to come to terms with being without Luke Mallkinson and Owen Bennett for the next few weeks after suffering respective concussion and hand problems.

Scott Butcher and Peter Youll both scored tries for West, while there was also a penalty try which means West stay mid-table in tenth.

Stockton slipped from third spot in Durham Northumberland Division One, narrowly losing at Medicals.

The Teessiders held a 16-10 advantage at half-time courtesy of three Jeremy Good penalties and his conversion after a well worked try from centre Danny Phin after some decent rugby from Richie Brown.

After the restart the rugby was just as close, but Medicals made the most of a defensive error after 55 minutes to grab a converted try to claim the win. Stockton did hang on to achieve a bonus point, despite yellow cards for Phin’s high tackle and Simon Crozier’s shoulder charge.

The defeat means Stockton have are down to fifth, behind Hartlepool Rovers and Consett, who claimed comfortable wins over Sunderland and Darlington respectively.

Darlington, in ninth, could not stop Consett who cruised to a comfortable 56-16 win.

Seaton Carew lost ground on the leaders in Durham Northumberland Division Two after suffering a 29-26 reversal at North Shields. But Ponteland extended the gap at the top with a comprehensive 40-17 win over second-placed Redcar.

Ponteland trailed 10-7 at half-time but turned on the style with five tries after the restart to condemn Redcar, forced to play half the game without Richie Young, to a heavy defeat.

In Yorkshire One there was another impressive win from Middlesbrough to stay in contention at the right end of the division, this time at Pontefract.

Despite falling behind early on, Simon O’Farrell narrowed the lead with a penalty goal for Boro, who went in front themselves with a try from captain Rob Bellerby.

Iain Bradford got in on the act, showing good strength to drive over following some excellent work by the forwards, and O’Farrell kept things ticking over with another penalty goal three minutes later.

Rhys Kilbride added a third try for Middlesbrough, who allowed Pontefract to hang in there with a couple of penalties.

But Bellerby got his second try early in the second half and O’Farrell’s boot earned a 28-11 lead. Pontefract kept plugging away and two quick-fire tries closed the gap to five points increasing the chances of a surprise comeback.

But Bradford scored a second try after a quick penalty and, despite a further try from Pontefract making the last five minutes interesting, Middlesbrough dug deep to hold on.