THERE was at least hope for Darlington, who could have snatched only their second win of the season with the final kick.

Alex Lineton's well-struck 42-metre penalty drifted just to the left, but it was a huge testament to Darlington's improving resilience that they were still in the game.

No side can expect to win when they are going backwards at every scrum and the imminent arrival of an overseas prop can't come soon enough.

They reduced the deficit by 22 points since entertaining the South Shields club in a national cup qualifier in the first match of the season, and now they need to win this week at Altrincham Kersal, one of three other teams on two points in North One.

Westoe, who are third, would be disappointed not to win more comfortably. They made a lot of mistakes, but some of them resulted from the greater competitiveness shown by their hosts.

The arrival of two Catterick-based Fijians has made a difference, particularly the open side Semi Rokotovitovi, who will be a major force if he can ally some discipline to his skill and enthusiasm.

He conceded several penalties and was yellow-carded late in the first half, although that was cancelled out by a Westoe back row man following him to the sin-bin shortly afterwards for a high tackle.

Fly half Rory Wood made a few breaks for Darlington and might have been better advised to pin back his ears rather than look for support from players struggling to match his pace.

But if he develops an understanding with Semi it could prove profitable.

It would obviously be better if they won clean ball rather than relying on the valiant efforts of lock Dave Hinchley and No 8 Tom Wilkinson to hang on to possession under pressure.

Semi was twice unlucky not to score. He combined brilliantly with Aquila Tutora for what would have been a try had the winger not put a foot in touch, and also charged down a clearance, only for the ball to bounce badly.

It was also a burst by Semi which led to the try which gave Darlington a 25th minute lead, with centre David Glendenning floating a clever pass for full back Evan Haigh to go over.

This stung Westoe into action as they came straight back with two good attacks and left winger James Fitzpatrick scored in the corner.

Prior to that burst of activity the best chance came when Westoe drove a line-out 20 metres, only to be penalised for holding on when they were stopped just short of the line.

There were several similar drives which they failed to finish off, while the presence of the Haswell brothers, Graham and David, in the centre did not pose many problems for their former team-mates until David scored the clinching try.

It came midway through the second half with Darlington down to 14 men shortly after Haigh had kicked a penalty from the 22 to put them 8-5 ahead.

That came against the run of play and when Westoe again hit back strongly desperate defence saw Glendenning get on the wrong side of a ruck and off he went to the sin bin.

This situation had resulted from Darlington failing to find touch for the umpteenth time, allowing Westoe to run back at them.

Their most potent attacking threat was the big right winger Paul Alexander and he made the crucial thrust before passing inside for Haswell's try.

Another good move seemed certain to bring a second try for Fitzpatrick, but Haigh pulled off a superb last-ditch tackle following another failed touch kick.

The penalty at the death was just beyond Haigh's range, but Lineton stepped up to have a go and struck it well.

Had it gone over Westoe would have required the same sort of soul-searching which Darlington conducted after the previous week's capitulation at Hull. They will be heartened to have contested this game for 80 minutes.