Promoted Town are one win from championship
Last updated 15:11, Monday, 21 April 2008
Penrith Town 3 Crook Town 1: Dave Heslop hailed his "brilliant" Blues after they clinched promotion to Northern One by beating Crook Town 3-1 at the World Group Stadium.
Striker Ryan Errington struck two and 24-goal top scorer Barry Irving hit the other to send Heslop's side up for the first time in five years.
They went up as Northern Two champions on that occasion and now need just one more win from their remaining three league games to secure a jubilant repeat.
Heslop said: "The lads deserve it for all the commitment and effort they've shown throughout the season. They've been absolutely brilliant.
"There will be a few celebrations, they deserve a drink or two, but I'm sure they won't go too overboard because we want to win the league at North Shields on Tuesday night."
Ryan Errington set the Blues on their way in the 18th minute arrowing a sweet strike into the top right corner of Crook keeper Neil Compson's net. Defender Craig Nesbitt volleyed the visitors level on 36-minutes following a corner, less than a minute after Penrith keeper James Holland had saved Darren Kokes penalty, pulling off a great save to his right.
Errington put the home side ahead again four minutes before half-time, lobbing out of position Compson from the edge of the area before Barry Irving made it 3-1 poking home from close range with four minutes left.
Heslop added: "It wasn't pretty today but it's all about results at this stage of the season. It's always a sign of a good team when you don't play as well as you can and win.
"We've just got to stay focused and concentrate on winning the league, one more win and we've done it."
Penrith: Holland, Wilson, Jones, Pattinson, Robertson, Frampton, Ferris (Fletcher 72), Paul, Irving, Errington, Lea. Subs not used: Prokas, Jackson, Lynn, Thornton
