MALTON & Norton desperately need to end a six-match losing run to kick-start their battle against relegation from North One East.

The Ryedale side were not in action last Saturday, but they slipped to second from bottom as a result of Middlesbrough’s 17-8 home win over Morpeth.

Malt travel to basement side Sheffield on Saturday (3pm) seeking their first victory since January 11 - and very much needing it.

The South Yorkshire trip is followed by a tough-looking fixture at fourth-placed Rochdale on March 29, while the season concludes next month with a home clash against mid-table Driffield on April 5 and an away day at champions-elect Cleckheaton on April 12 - which the Gannock club will not want to go into needing maximum points.

Three go down from North One East and Malton are second from bottom with 36 points, one behind Morpeth, who occupy the third relegation spot. Middlesbrough are fourth from bottom with 39 points, meaning Malt’s fate is not in their own hands heading into the final four games of the campaign.