Captain Grant Davidson has earned praise from manager Jim Nichols - who admitted the defender could be an option up front later in the season.

As the Bonny Blues chased an equaliser in their 4-2 defeat to Marske United at Frenchfield Park, Davidson was thrown up front for the final minutes with Penrith 3-2 behind.

Marske sealed the win on the counter-attack, despite Davidson causing problems for the Marske defence in his brief cameo up front.

The Penrith skipper then was among the scorers last Wednesday in their 4-2 victory at Willington, with hitman Martyn Coleman getting one more to add to his tally this season and Kevin Connelly bagging a brace.

Despite Nichols making some changes for Saturday’s Cumberland Cup tie against Braithwaite, Davidson retained both his place in the starting line-up and the captain’s armband.

Davidson was involved in Mathew Read’s goal but he could not get himself on the scoresheet again in the 6-1 win at Frenchfield Park, which came courtesy of goals from debutant Connor Shields, Read, Will Paul, Andy Murray-Jones and a Coleman double.

“Grant is a real threat,” said Nichols.

“He is not the biggest but he is a real threat. A couple of years ago he played up front at the start of the season.

“He has a knack of getting in the right place at the right time. He is an option.”

The win means Penrith AFC progress to the third round in a competition manager Nichols is hoping they can do well in.

Nichols said: “We are hoping it’s a competition we can do well in.

"It’s been a bit bizarre the last couple of years. Last year, we got knocked out at Workington, even though we were probably the better side.

“Carlisle have been knocked [beaten by Cleator Moor Celtic] but there are still some decent teams left in the competition.

"Even teams like Keswick and Aspartia have done well recently.”

Reserve team striker Shields, who recently scored five goals in a 9-1 victory, was involved on Saturday against Braithwaite and scored on his debut.