Carlisle City picked up a good 1-0 home win over Crook Town in the Northern League Division One.
But Penrith’s frustrating finish to the season continued as they went down 3-0 at Newcastle Blue Star.
City boss Dan Kirkkup was particularly happy with how his side performed, as well as they have done for some time.
They controlled the game for long periods and created a number of chances but could only find one finish to count – from Kelvin James after 12 minutes.
Although City were in charge there’s always the concern with just a 1-0 lead a break could produce an equaliser and Crook could have been level five minutes from the end.
They were awarded a penalty but keeper Thomas Randall ensured the points stayed at Gillford Park by saving Ashton Houlahan’s spot-kick.
Hear what Kirkup had to say about the win below:
Penrith have had a difficult finish to the season with matches against the leading sides yet are paying the price for not being able to take their chances.
It was the same yesterday at Blue Star where they had opportunities, particularly before Blue Star scored, but the home keeper made what was described as save of the season to deny Penrith.
Within minutes they had fallen behind with a fine strike from the edge of the area by Sam Stephenson on the half-hour.
Trailing 1-0 at the break, Penrith started the second half well but were rocked on 50 minutes with another outstanding finish from Dan Lanning.
Although they huffed and puffed they couldn’t find an effective response and late in the game Lanning grabbed his second to ensure the points stayed with Blue Star, who had beaten Kendal Town 4-1 in mid-week.
It doesn’t get any easier for Penrith in their concluding matches as they have to face two play-off chasers in Kendal and Boro Rangers.
You can hear below what manager Jim Nichols thought of his side’s performance:
