Penrith slipped to a second consecutive 5-0 defeat when they went down to Bishop Auckland last night.
Free spending Bishops had been under pressure after successive defeats to Carlisle City and West Auckland but they had the tonic of a second minute goal.
Penrith boss Darren Edmondson said: “They were very impressive and are certainly the best team we’ve played. They spent money, spent it well, are big in all areas and I am sure they will be up there at the end of the season.
“It’s been difficult for us to get some consistency through having to make changes each game. It affects the young players, as they become fragile through losing confidence and the experienced players become frustrated.
“But this is what we knew it would be like. There’s no quick fix and it’s going to be a long journey for us to get a settled team, find set patterns of play and fundamental ethics take time to bed in,
“We just have to knuckle down together and when these holidays and injuries are out of the way I hope we can find a settled side and get some points on the board.
“It’s Guisborough away on Saturday and I’m hoping we will have a few more available after Thursday’s training session.”
It had all started painfully for Penrith when they failed to clear a left-wing corner which dropped invitingly for James Risbrough to drive home.
Penrith had a chance to get back into it with a counter down the right which ended with left back Hayden Tait arriving late for the cross but firing tamely wide from a good position.
Andy Murray-Jones was closest with a shot on the turn in the box which flew just wide.
However, on 32 minutes Penrith conceded a penalty which was comfortably converted by Craig Gott and Penrith never really threatened after that.
Aaran Taylor made two timely saves before a splendid chipped finish by James Fairley four minutes before half-time sent the hosts in with a 3-0 lead while.
Two goals inside the opening 15 minutes of the second-half killed off the Penrith challenge completely.
Dale Milburn drove oner in from the edge of the area and then a similar strike from Gott whistle past Taylor.
Penrith were spared more agony as Bishops hit the bar twice inside 30 minutes with eventually Taylor grabbing the loose ball.
