PADIHAM missed out on an excellent chance to close the gap on the leading teams in the Second Division of the North West Counties Football League.

Having the better of a mediocre first half, the Storks were stunned four minutes into the second half when Nick Holden scored a cracker.

The game exploded on the 73rd minute with the rather harsh sending off of Winsford's Stuart Wellstead for a second yellow card when the referee said that he'd taken a dive in the penalty area.

Fired up by the loss of a player, Winsford made it 2-0 within two minutes when a quick break and cross saw Ian Given head in from close range.

Martyn Thompson pulled a goal back, and deep into injury time Ian Pilkington looked to have grabbed a dramatic equaliser when he lobbed a shot over the keeper and over the goal-line before it was scrambled out again. But with Padiham players appealing for a goal the referee turned and blew for full time.

WINSFORD UTD ...2

PADIHAM ...1