Hoppers ended up scraping home in the top of the table clash with Darlington by the narrowest of margins despite appearing to have the game sown up shortly before half time.

Hoppers shuffled their backs for this game and debutant Kiwi fly half Andy Smith did give some extra options but once more the backs lacked cohesion and penetration.

Out scored by four tries to two, in the end it was the kicking of Paul Bailey and two individual flashes of class by Olly Viney which saw them home.

Hoppers had the better of the opening exchanges but a crop of handling errors prevented them from turning pressure into points. In fact it was Darlington who almost broke the deadlock but Viney pulled off a try-saving tackle.

Having been wide with an earlier attempt, Bailey put his side ahead with a penalty in the 23rd minute but was again off target three minutes later.

Hoppers' pack was well on top in the tight and, as the defence became more desperate, Bailey took advantage of another indiscretion to put Hoppers 6-0 up after 28 minutes.

The visitors looked dangerous on the counter attack, and it was soon the turn of South African centre Apie Pieterse to save the day with a last-ditch tackle.

Home hooker Sands made a break down the touchline from the restart and some cohesive backs play gave Viney the chance to sprint over. Bailey's conversion made it 13-0 and Hoppers seemed to be cruising.

Darlington made ground with a succession of rolling mauls, their main tactic, and just before the break flanker Howe scored under the posts.

Fly half Lee's solitary kicking success of the afternoon made the score 13-7 at half time.

The home side's lethargy continued in the second half and Darlington completely dominated the third quarter. First Lee's pin-point cross kick was plucked out of the air by winger Coulson who touched down in the corner and then another rolling maul produced a try for No.8 Brown, his 11th of the season, to put the visitors ahead 17-13.

This acted as something of a wake-up call for Hoppers and they rallied with a drive by lock Anton Cramant that was stopped at the expense of a penalty which Bailey duly put over.

On 65 minutes, a tap penalty on halfway found Viney with the ball in hand and although he had plenty to do his pace and elusive running produced a fine individual try.

Bailey's excellent conversion put Hoppers back in front at 23-17 but Darlington refused to capitulate and, after more forward drives, wing Coulson was released to touch down for his second try in the 72nd minute but Lee's pressure kick failed.

As the game drew to a close, both sides came close but the final whistle found Hoppers hanging on for dear life and watching Lee's attempted winning drop goal sail just wide and Darlington had to make do with the consolation of two bonus points.

On Saturday, Hoppers travel to Leicester Lions for their first-ever league encounter.