This was a tough watch at times as Town laboured to break down a well-organised Penrith side who twice took the lead and must have thought they had done enough to take all three points back to Cumbria.

But redemption came in the form of substitute Alistair Banks in the first minute of stoppage time. Full credit to midfielder Luca Sartini who picked him out with a brilliant long pass from the middle of the park.

Banks got beyond the last defender before angling his shot past Penrith ‘keeper Dan Swann to claim his ninth goal of the season amid wild celebrations. Manager Colin Myers later acknowledged it enhances his claims to a starting place.

Mid-table Penrith did not look like a team who, on paper, have little to play for. They bossed possession from the start and swept into a 12th-minute lead.

Centre-forward Connor Shields evaded his markers to fire a close-range shot that home ‘keeper Jacob Crowle made a valiant attempt to save. But the ball ran loose and was adjudged to have crossed the line by the officials.

For all their hard work, Northallerton created little threat in the first period until debutant Bailey Prudhoe produced a moment of magic two minutes from the break. Again, Sartini was the creator, finding the former Blyth Spartans forward with a delicious cross-field pass.

Prudhoe controlled it instantly and scooped a lovely lob over Swann’s head from the edge of the box. Parity didn’t last as the Bonny Blues retook the lead through Matt Williamson 10 minutes into the second half.

Northallerton tried everything to get back on terms but Penrith adapted better to the heavy conditions and repeatedly resisted their opponents’ best efforts. But on came Banks for Harry Croft amid a wave of substitutions to have the final say.

Manager Myers was delighted his side salvaged a draw on a difficult afternoon. “I’m over the moon with the point but I have to admit I’m bitterly disappointed with the overall performance,” he said.

“The point papers over the cracks because the players didn’t carry out my instructions. But the massive positive is the way the lads worked so hard and gave so much commitment – and when you’ve got that, you’ve always got a chance.”

Northallerton Town: Crowle, Cullen (Raitt 75), Dobinson, Rudd, Myers (Grundle 74), Sartini, Prudhoe (Spears 74), Hughes, Croft (Banks 68), Jack Wilson, Shodeinde.

Sub not used: Coatsworth.

Penrith: Swann, Hebson, Trotter, McKenna, Story, Moynan, Makar, Brown, Shields (Beckett 82), Hammell, Williamson.

Subs not used: Jolly, Morrey.