STOURBRIDGE RFC saw their grip on the National League Two North title loosen further with defeat in Darlington.

The Saxons came away from DMP's impressive but chilly Northern Echo arena with only a losing bonus point to show for their efforts after the out-of-sorts visitors had to fall back on the right boot of Jamie Hearn.

But what proved a low scoring game was never dull, with both sides putting runners clean through the defences only to be called back for marginally forward passes.

The third-placed hosts coughed up plenty of first half penalties but few were in Hearn's range due to a strong icy wind.

Stour kicked for the corners but were turned over in their early attacking lineouts, enabling DMP to relieve the pressure.

Hearn did secure a 3-0 lead when DMP's front row stood under pressure up in the scrum after 12 minutes but the Saxons were straight onto the back foot when lock forward Rich Stott was sinbinned for slowing down a quick tap penalty.

Darlington’s kicker missed his shot at goal but with the Saxons pinned in their 22 the waves of high-tempo attacks finally breached the defence when prop Appleby gathered a speculative offload to crash over.

Hearn narrowed the lead to a point with his second kick of the game a sin-binning for the hosts early in the second half seemed to have handed them the advantage.

But Darlington’s defence held firm and increased their lead on the hour when Connon went over during a rare foray into the visiting half.

Hearn’s third penalty with five minutes to go set up a tense finish but Stour were unable to find a way through.

Stour remain eight points clear of second placed Hull Ionians at the top but their rivals have a game in hand.

Director of rugby Neil Mitchell said: “All credit to Mowden Park, who did to us what we've done to other teams this season. Their defence was immense.

“We have to look back on a misfiring set piece - we fluffed our first 3 lineouts after setting up promising attacking platforms.

“We also didn't help ourselves by being too lateral in attack.

“But we're not going to be down about it, we remain confident and in a dominant position in the league albeit we've some big games to come.”