Manager Jim Nichols is hoping Penrith will give a positive reaction at Guisborough Town.

The Bonny Blues were beaten 7-0 by Jarrow Roofing BCA in their last match.

They were due to play Dunston UTS on Wednesday, but the game was postponed and Penrith’s boss admitted it had been “a long week”.

Captain Grant Davidson’s wedding meant some of the club’s key men were missing last weekend and Nichols felt the absence of those players proved significant.

“We were probably missing five or six players, and they were the more experienced players,” he said.

“But the players who played were not good enough. We didn’t have those experienced heads because they were all away.

“It was really, really hard for me to take. But it will be a valuable lesson in the long run. The lads who played even know that they weren’t good enough.

“I don’t even think it was a case of underestimating them. It was us creating chances in the first 15 minutes, but they scored first.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t have any experienced players. The lads found it difficult to regroup and get through to half-time. Then there was the sending off of Dean Rea.”

Meanwhile, Nichols has recalled a meeting he was involved in against Guisborough as he tries to work out what to expect from today’s match (3pm kick-off).

He said: “It must be about 10 years ago when I was at Kendal, we played them.

“They still have some of the players from that side now. They will be fighting and scrapping for their lives.”

It will be another lengthy trip for Penrith, but Nichols is confident of a positive result.

He said: “To be honest, with our away record, we’re up there in sixth or seventh in the league. Our away record is a lot better than our home record.

“We will go their hopeful of getting a good result.”

Guisborough have scored eight goals in their last three matches and have signed former Hartlepool youngster Jordan Jewson.

Nichols said: “Everybody I have spoken to says they’re not bad going forward but they struggle at the back.

“When they win, they don’t get 1-0s, they get 5-2s. I feel, with what we have got going forward, we can give them problems.”

Martyn Coleman will return, but Davidson, Andy Murray-Jones and Jordan Lawson are not available.