Penrith showed plenty of good spirit in their 4-2 defeat at West Auckland.
The young Bonnyblues twice fought back level after going behind and crucially missed two great chances to go in front.
When West Auckland scored a third goal from a clinical breakaway it rather deflated the Cumbrians who conceded a fourth six minutes from time.
A Liam Hegarty penalty on 12 minutes gave West Auckland the lead but five minutes later Jonny Murray made no mistake when he was given the opportunity to equalise from the spot.
Corey Nicholson regained the lead for the hosts on 29 minutes but again Penrith fought back level through Luke Hunter.
After missing two good chances Penrith were made to pay when West Auckland broke to score a third on the hour through Jake Stafford.
Penrith were chasing the game when Cieran Jackson scored a fourth in the 84th minute.
Penrith boss Darren Edmondson said: “They were a big physical side and I thought 4-2 flattered them.
“We showed good spirit in parts and if we could have got a third goal from one of two guilt-edged chances we had it might have been a different story.
“The psychological thing at the moment is getting ourselves in front in a game.
“But we had five Under-19’s in the squad on Saturday and they are all on a learning curve.”
