Penney saw the Pirates fall deeper into relegation trouble and lose key players Stuart Campbell and Dave McCracken with hamstring problems. Both skipper Campbell and centre-back McCracken had to be substituted during the 2-1 defeat and could face several weeks on the sidelines.
However, having made six transfer-window signings, Penney refused to be downbeat about his new-look side.
"We finished the game strongly and if we can start like that against Brighton on Saturday it should be a good contest," he said. "Losing McCracken and Campbell is a blow but we have Danny Coles and Chris Lines back from suspension at the weekend, which now looks timely.
"I feel the new signings have given us more physical strength and provided me with more options. After conceding six at Walsall last Saturday we desperately wanted to start off tight, so to concede a goal after 45 seconds was terrible.
"It gave us a huge mountain to climb, but I credit the lads for keeping going and with a bit of luck we might have got a point."
Source: PA
Source: PA