Boss Andy Coyles reckons it will be a “massive achievement” if Penrith AFC can climb off the foot of the Northern League Division One table.

With Coyles having taken the reins at Frenchfield Park in October with Penrith on a single point, they have spent virtually the entire of their campaign at the foot of the table.

But a run of six wins and two draws in 12 matches in all competitions has edged Coyles’ team to within six points of Whickham with three league games to play, starting today at home to Whitley Bay (3pm kick-off).

Second-bottom Whickham complete their league fixture schedule at Hebburn Town this weekend, leaving Penrith knowing exactly what they will need to do in their last two league games, at home to Dunston UTS next Wednesday and at Sunderland RCA next Saturday.

Penrith will come into the match after a 2-0 win over Guisborough on Wednesday, despite a Martyn Coleman red card.

“They [Whitley Bay] have had something similar where a new manager [Nathan Haslam] has come in and they have kicked on,” said Coyles. “They are currently 12th in the league after a good run of form.

"It’s going to be extremely tough, make no mistake, it will be even tougher than it was on Wednesday, so we are going to have to step it up even more if that’s possible.

"We are expecting a really good game, but we will try to give a good account of ourselves.”

Coyles added: “We are six points off the team above us with two games in hand and it’s all to play for. I’m realistic that it’s going to be tough.

"It will be a massive, massive achievement, I think it would even surpass winning the Cumberland Cup if we go above Whickham. But we’ll take it one game at a time and see where that takes us.”

Keeper Stuart Dixon will look to keep his fourth straight clean sheet today.

On April 30, Penrith play Carlisle United in the Cumberland Cup final.