Newport have been told to keep scrapping for the lives as the battle for National League Three Midlands survival intensifies.

The men from Forton Road went down 38-13 at Ampthill on Saturday to leave them just one point clear of the bottom three.

But coach Ian Bletcher is confident they can stand the heat over the closing weeks of the campaign.

“The season will go right to the wire,” said Bletcher. “I’m sure there will be other results that will mean we’re by no means safe from relegation just yet.

“We have got to keep scrapping until the end of the season. Our players respond well to pressure and we’re certainly going to give it everything we’ve got.”

Bletcher certainly saw plenty to offer him encouragement at Ampthill, despite the result.

Newport had to cope with skipper Craig Ingram pulling out on the morning of the match due to illness, Neil Weston taking over the captaincy.

They also conceded two early tries and were always chasing from that point.

A Rob Clymer try got them back in the game, though the hosts had a big lead by the break.

A string of scrums and line-outs led to a forwards try for Tim Hockin in the centre-half, while James Curgenven – who had an off day with the boot – added one penalty.

But they could add no more as the front-runners extended their advantage at the top.

“We were disappointed in terms of the result, but encouraged in terms of the performance,” added Bletcher.

“Ampthill are a good side with quality players in key positions. We put them under pressure and gave a committed performance.”

Luctonians swept promotion chasing Bromsgrove aside with a comprehensive 17-34 victory success at Finstall Park.

The Lucs were too strong for their third-placed opponents after running in two tries in the first five minutes.

“We were always in control and once again our pack dominated,” said spokesman Robin East.

“Bromsgrove were never in contention we were just too strong for them and if we can continue our present form we still have an outside chance of contesting the runners-up place.”

Wing forward Paul Hulland scored three of Luctonians’ four tries, with Alex James touching down with the other.

Jamie Simpson converted two and a penalty, with the other points coming from a penalty try.

Hereford fought back to pull off a stunning 27-26 victory over Longton at Wyeside.

Longton had beat Hereford 8-0 earlier in the season but the Wyesiders took their revenge when they pipped their Staffordshire opponents by a point.

Dean Powell converted a 35-metre penalty six minutes from time to clinch a nail-biting victory.

By CHRIS HUDSON