An 89th minute goal denied Penrith a vital away win at Northallerton last night in the Northern League First Division.
It gave the home side a 1-1 draw after they had played from the 42nd minute with ten men following a penalty to Penrith which resulted in Anthony Snook being sent off.
Johnny Murray scored from the spot and Penrith were still in front up to the final minute when Adam Burnicle grabbed Northallerton’s equaliser.
Sharing the spoils was not a disaster for the Cumbrians as it keeps Northallerton two points behind them and Darren Edmondson’s men have two games in hand of them.
There are still some permutations possible at the bottom but Penrith are now 16th in the 20-strong League with 31 points and seven games to play.
Below them are Seaham Red Star, who visit Frenchfield on Saturday and have 30 and four to play. Following on come Northallerton 29 and five to go; Thornaby 28 and five left and Pickering 26 with six remaining fixtures.
Manager Darren Edmondson said: “It was another point in the right direction for us but it was a frustrating night for us.
“The pitch was in a terrible state and not to the standard you expect in this League, and to be fair both teams struggled with it.
“We were pleased to go in with a lead at half-time and thought we could push on with them down to ten men.
“But you have to give them a bit of credit as they were in our faces and fought really hard to overcome the one-man advantage.
“We had chances to go 2-0 but couldn’t take them and right at the end they managed to squeeze one home through a crowd of players.
“It felt like a defeat at the time but it wasn’t and keeps us two points ahead with two matches in hand which is important.
“We have two massive games coming up now at home to Seaham, who are down below us, on Saturday and then a derby game at Carlisle City on Tuesday.”
