A tough test is what manager Jim Nichols is expecting when his Penrith side visit fifth-placed Marske United.

The Seasiders are one of the form teams in Northern League, Division One, ahead of today's contest (3pm kick-off).

Bonny Blues boss Nichols said: "They are a decent side. It is a decent track as well up there.

"We'll go there and give them a decent game."

Marske were 4-2 winners when the two sides met at Frenchfield Park in October, with Jamie Owens scoring twice but he has since left Marske.

"I don't think they are quite as strong as they have been in the last couple of years - they have lost a few players recently," Nichols said.

"Jamie Owens has gone to Newton Aycliffe and they have lost a couple of others but they will be a decent side and it will be a real test for us."

In the previous meeting between the two teams earlier this season, kick-off was delayed by two hours after the visitors got stuck in traffic on their way into Cumbria.

Boss Nichols added: "It was about a seven o'clock finish on what was meant to be a three o'clock start.

"Hopefully, we will go there and give them a game. We have a massive squad at the moment.

"I had 22 players available on Wednesday night, some didn't make the squad.

"Some didn't even come off the bench and get involved, so there is chances for everybody in the next few weeks to get games, get back involved and show they are worth a place.

"Hopefully, the lads who aren't in will come in and show that."

Penrith come into the game on the back of a 1-1 home draw with Seaham Red Star on Wednesday after the away team cancelled out Martyn Coleman's first-half penalty after the restart.

Reflecting on the match, Nichols said: "It was quite an even game I thought, but we definitely had the better of the chances and we said, on another day, you put them to bed and you go two or three up early on and the game is finished.

"But we didn't take our chances, and ultimately, it has come home and bit us, really."