Penrith should have had something out of their Northern League clash at Whickham but went down 2-1.
A controversial penalty in the 75th minute was the deciding goal after Penrith had fought back from conceding as early as the second minute.
Manager Darren Edmondson said: “I was happy with the performance but disappointed that we didn’t get something from the game.
“We conceded after only two minutes but then dominated the first-half. We had opportunities but only got the one goal to level through Robbie Hebson.
“I think that’s where we lack some belief in that we get a goal but we can’t follow-up with the second and third to kill-off teams.
“Generally though we have some good young footballers which augers well for the future of the club. In addition we had four key players missing for this one.”
Dan Turner, ironically coached by Edmondson when he was involved in a North East Academy, had given Whickham the early lead, cancelled out by Hebson after 39 minutes – but it was the penalty award that really upset the Penrith boss.
“The lad had gone through and put too much on it so it was going out of play when he just threw himself into our goalkeeper who had just stood his ground. The referee awarded a penalty and they scored to win the game,” said Edmondson.
Scott Robson had fired home the spot kick and left Penrith reflecting on not being able to capitalise on their first half supremacy.
It’s getting tight in the battle to avoid the drop with Thornaby bottom on 22 points with Carlisle City seventh from bottom with 30 points.
Penrith are fourth bottom with 26 points but have games in hand on everyone around them in the table
