HAD someone with a crystal ball foreseen that this match would be decided by the goal-kicking of someone wearing No 10, there would have been no doubt that Mike Scott was the man.

Fylde's fly half went into the match with the best strike rate in National Three North, 80.26, but on a day when he twice struck a post he was outshone by Anthony Mellalieu.

Kicking has been a problem all season for Mowden, apart from when Johann Booysen found some form prior to his injury, but their newcomer slotted two conversions, four penalties and a drop goal to decide a match in which the try-count was 2-2.

The Newcastle student made his debut as a replacement two weeks ago in the 39-3 defeat at Fylde, when Eni Gisende had to play at centre.

This time the Falcons Development XV captain was back in his best position at No 6, and with Danny Brown also returning to add beef and experience Mowden comfortably turned the tables.

But the pick of the forwards was No 8 Gavin Stainsby, whose surges off the back of the scrum and in broken play often gained huge yardage.

The return of centre Gareth Kerr also helped, while the no-nonsense tackling of Roddy Gouionnet alongside him showed that the Frenchman has been a good signing, despite his injury-plagued start.

In a repeat of what happened 12 months ago, only when the threat of relegation has become very real have Mowden shaken themselves out of a long losing run, ending a run of six defeats.

It didn't look good when they were 8-0 down after 15 minutes, and after taking the lead they fell behind again when sloppy tackling again allowed Fylde to score.

But the defence tightened up and problems at the scrum receded as the other newly-signed Newcastle student, Rob Kalbraier, settled in well at loose head.

Even when lock Anthony Peck was helped off after 20 minutes it had no great impact as Luke Monument proved an adequate deputy.

Not that Mowden needed anyone other than Gesinde at the line-out. His beanpole stature is the main reason why he appears not to have a future in the Premiership, but at 6ft 4in and easy to lift he can reign supreme at this level.

Games refereed by Humberside's Matthew Daubney are never going to flow, especially when he has the help of an interfering touch judge. But Fylde's willingness to keep attacking when they were being outplayed in the second half meant that the match maintained interest throughout.

While one touch judge saw no reason to get involved, the other stepped in three times. One instance resulted in Fylde lock Andy Atkinson being sin-binned after 50 minutes and another saw the same man sent off for his part in a fight ten minutes from time.

Fylde have a good disciplinary record, with only eight yellow cards and no reds prior to this game.

Mellalieu kicked the penalty resulting from the dismissal, but Mowden took no further advantage. Excellent play featuring Dave Sinclair and Stainsby created a glorious opportunity in injury time, but it was wasted through a poor pass.

The match began with Gisende stealing the line-out ball after Fylde kicked a penalty to the corner, but they went ahead after ten minutes when their No 7 gathered a Mellalieu chip in his own half and shrugged off four tackles up the left touchline.

Five metres short he surprisingly threw an inside pass, which Iain Dixon intercepted and cleared, only for right winger David Wiseman to go outside two opponents on a run to the corner.

Scott added a 35-metre penalty, but Mowden had roused themselves by the time Peck was injured and after Mellalieu's first penalty they went ahead after 25 minutes.

A good pass from the fly half allowed Kerr to break through and he almost reached the line, where the ball was quickly recycled and Gisende dived over.

Mowden failed to secure the restart and were then penalised, but Scott hit the post from a relatively easy chance.

Mellalieu kicked his second penalty from wide on the left, but Fylde edged back in front with a converted try by lock Nick King.

Another break by Kerr sent winger Sio Atelemo over, but the pass was forward and it needed Mellalieu's sweetly-struck drop goal to put Mowden 16-15 ahead at half-time.

It remained tight until a long break by scrum half Andy Foreman ten minutes into the second half was followed by Atkinson's yellow card.

Mellalieu kicked the penalty, then Scott replied, but Mowden scored a superby-worked crucial try before Atkinson returned.

They drove a line-out ten metres from just outside the 22 before popping the ball out to give Foreman a clear run to the line on the blind side.

The victory lifted Mowden out of the third relegation spot above Macclesfield. They visit the Cheshire club next week then have a run of three games against the bottom two, which should see them pull clear.

Result: Darlington Mowden Park 29, Fylde 18.