TYNEDALE are still looking nervously over their shoulders in the fight to beat the drop after a late disallowed goal cost them a point.

Fighting back from three goals down to Durham City, who were just ahead of them in the table, Tyne had a goal chalked off in the final five minutes as they went down 3-2.

A cross from the right was deflected home by teenager Tom Scott but it was controversially ruled out as it was deemed he had used his back stick. To further frustrate Tynedale, Scott was denied moments later by a brilliant save from the Durham goalkeeper, while Henry Thompson missed two chances from short corners.

The first half was disastrous for Tyne as they struggled to get to grips with the Durham side who stuck away the chances that came their way.

The opener came from a short corner as Tynedale failed to get their feet out of the way of a harmless cross, the resulting effort fired low past goalkeeper Alex Tortice.

It was soon two when an aerial ball into the Tynedale D was deemed legal, and the Durham forward calmly controlled it and placed it low for his second of the match.

Tynedale’s defence struggled to cope with the overload of layers down the left and it was 3-0 when a shot which was straying wide fell to an unmarked player at the back post to tap home.

The visitors did improve before the break, but they came out after half time with captain James Rainford’s strong words ringing in their ears. And they reduced arrears 15 minutes in, Thompson’s corner comfortably saved only for Rob Porter to react first and flick the ball high beyond the keeper.

With the relief lifted, Tynedale were looking dangerous and were back to within a goal of their hosts when Thompson’s drag flick finally got past the goalkeeper. Then followed the late drama with Tyne feeling aggrieved that what they thought was a legitimate equaliser was ruled out.

Tynedale go into Saturday’s game with Newcastle University II knowing victory will secure their place in next year’s North East Hockey Premier League.