IN A game with few chances, Padiham paid the ultimate penalty for one piece of slack defending.

Ashton's Mich Rheade broke free 10 minutes into the second half to score the only goal of the game and condemn Padiham to their fifth defeat of the season.

It could have been a different result if Ian Whittaker had taken a golden opportunity to equalise in the 77th minute or if a last-minute goalmouth scramble had gone the Storks way.

Instead, Ashton held onto their lead to return home with maximum points from their trip to the Arbories.

PADIHAM ...0 ASHTON TOWN ...1