Penrith were denied a point at Heaton Stannington by a late third goal by the hosts in Northern League Division One.
DJ Taylor made it 2-2 in the 86th minute but two minutes later Ryan Carr scored his second goal to win it for the home side.
Andy Murray-Jones had actually given Penrith the lead on 17 minutes before Craig Scott levelled for the hosts six minutes later. Carr had put Heaton Stannington in front six minutes into the second-half.
Manager Darren Edmondson said: “We were undone by naivety with all of their goals set-piece related, but we had lads in who hadn’t played together before which will have contributed.
“Although the goals we conceded were disappointing. I thought our general play was good. They worked hard and passed it around well so plenty of positives to take out of the game.
“I think we go into the Boxing Day game at Carlisle City with confidence and we will have some of the missing players back in the squad which is a boost.”
Considering they played so many games away from home at the start of the season Penrith will feel pleased that they are 14 points clear of the relegation zone coming towards the turn of the year.
Opponents Heaton Stannington are seventh in the table one place above Carlisle City who host Edmondson’s men on Boxing Day.
