Fightback comes too late to save a point

WHITLEY BAY 1 PENRITH 2
Tuesday 3rd December
Whitley’s inconsistent form continued as they fell to a thoroughly disappointing defeat at the hands of Penrith, a side who arrived at Hillheads just one point off the foot of the First Division. Saturday’s victory over Northallerton had given hope of a climb into mid-table but despite having plenty of possession, Whitley failed to test the visiting defence until late in the game.
Penrith looked more lively in the opening exchanges with Whitley providing no real threat at this stage and the Cumbrians took the lead after 16 minutes when Scott Lowery failed to cut out a high ball from midfield, and it allowed Shaun Gardner to run clear on goal and fire past Dan Lister.
Whitley’s attempts were at best sporadic and looked unlikely to bring an equaliser. Midway through the half, Luke Salmon cut in from the left and briefly threatened but his final ball went narrowly wide. Further efforts by James Martin and Lewis Orrell also failed to test keeper Luke Miller. However four minutes before the interval, a good move saw Salmon play the ball through to Brad Hird but his shot was pushed wide by Miller, to leave the visitors one goal ahead at half time.
Penrith nearly doubled their lead within seconds of the resumption but after a defensive mistake, Lowery came to the rescue with a vital clearance off the line. The visitors were continuing to look the better side going forward and it took a fine save from Lister to keep them out in the 58th minute, using his feet to block a shot on target. However, the reprieve was short-lived when almost immediately a corner was played in from the right and Gardner met it perfectly, drilling the ball through the Bay defence and into the net.
Whitley made all three substitutions in an effort to get back in the game and the changes did make an impact as they pushed forward posing a greater threat than previously. Michael Colquhoun’s more direct approach brought rewards in the 76th minute when the youngster was tripped as he worked his way into the box and referee Christopher Joyce immediately pointed to the spot. Lee Kerr stepped up to take the penalty and comfortably beat Miller for his first goal since returning to Hillheads in the summer.
Suddenly there was renewed belief in the Whitley team and with the crowd getting behind them it looked as if they might rescue a point from the game. Kerr was supplying balls from midfield into the box with one going just inches beyond the far post. Substitute Jake Martindale looked set to draw the sides level with five minutes left but his powerful shot was superbly pushed over the bar by Miller. The play was now virtually all in the Penrith half and the visitors’ goal came under real pressure but the fight back had come too late and despite four minutes of added time, Whitley could not find a way through a resolute Cumbrian side who may have created fewer chances but deserved the points for a battling display.
WHITLEY BAY: Lister, Bexton, Martin, Anderson, Lowery, Taylor, Proctor(Martindale 59mins) , Orrell, Hird(Kerr 67mins), Robinson, Salmon(Colquhoun 53mins)
Substitutes not used: Emmerson, Bramley
Cautions: Lowery, Martin
Referee: Christopher Joyce
Attendance: 181