Durham City remain third after a 24-10 win at Old Crossleyans, despite scrum half Ben Stevenson being unavailable and his brother Arnie injured.

Former skipper Jeff Roberts played at No 9 in his first game back after a summer operation, but was replaced in the second half by coach Mark McCreaddie, who was driven over for the decisive try.

It came late in the game to settle what had been a tense match with the hosts leading 10-3 at half-time following an interception try.

City quickly went ahead with two tries after the interval. After a lot of pressure and two penalties on the line, the referee awarded a penalty try when a home player went into a ruck from the side.

James Walker, who kicked the first half penalty, coverted to level the scores then Howard Johnson broke away when the ball ran loose at the back of a line-out on halfway. He hacked on and eventually gathered the ball to blast over near the posts for Walker to add the second of his three conversions.