MALTON & Norton have slipped back into the North One East drop zone after a painful derby defeat - but they have been backed to "get out of the hole they are in".

M&N lost 17-14 at Driffield to fall back below their East Yorkshire neighbours to third bottom.

Relegation rivals Dinnington also bagged a shock win over Durham City to make it a bad day all round for Chris Creber's men.

Club spokesman Bill Laidler said the team retain possession better and cut out unnecessary penalties.

He said: "There are tough times ahead but the squad do possess the talent to get out of the hole they are in if they can reproduce some of the form they showed in the early season games."

Malton began brightly and the pressure told after seven minutes when, from a ruck close to the Driffield line, they broke to the blind side and centre Nick Rangiuira burst through, Tom Foan converting.

But Driffield raised their game and, as has happened previously this season, Malton became vulnerable, their habits of conceding too many penalties at the breakdowns and losing possession at crucial times returning to the fore.

The referee, having warned about persistent offending, sin-binned prop Liam Vaughan for the next offence.

Malton seemed to weather the 10 minutes but then Driffield turned their pressure into points, taking advantage of the extra man to spin the ball wide and cross in the corner. The conversion made it 7-7.

Again the pendulum swung and Malton fought their way into Driffield's 22 - only to gain no reward after some controversial refereeing.

A scrum five metres out twice advanced towards the line only to collapse both times. Fully expecting a penalty try to be awarded for the next collapse, Malton went for the jugular.

Again the mass collapsed but Malt were merely instructed to use the ball, and the Driffield defence coped well.

The second half began the same way as the first with Malton dominating the first quarter but without adding to their score.

In contrast, when Driffield finally managed to get into scoring territory after 17 minutes, they took full advantage.

Again a Malton infringement at a ruck gave them a penalty opportunity. The kick was missed but the Malton drop-out went directly to touch and Driffield had a scrum in centre-field 22 metres out.

Although under pressure, the hosts secured the ball and set up drives to the line, eventually crossing, the conversion putting them 14-7 ahead.

Ten minutes later, Malton's discretions at the breakdown again cost them as a Driffield penalty made it 17-7.

Malton had 10 minutes to make amends but were unable to retain possession long enough to make an impression, until it was too late.

As the game entered injury time, the pack drove deep and Rangiuira was on hand to get his second touchdown. Foan converted and Malton at least had a losing bonus point.