PADIHAM proved too strong for their NWCL Division Two derby rivals Nelson at the Arbories as the Storks kept their four point lead at the top of the table and extended their unbeaten run to seven games.

Two goals in the opening 14 minutes from Padiham's two youngest players Robbie Smith and Martyn Thompson, got the Storks off to a flyer and made it difficult for Nelson to ever get back into the game. It was Thompson's third in two games.

Lee Coldridge did pull one back 18 minutes before half time to give the visitors a glimmer of hope, but that's all it was as Padiham dominated the second half creating enough chances to have won the game by five or six.

Ian Pilkington was through with only the keeper to beat, but couldn't beat Nelson's on-loan Paddy Kirk.

Martyn Thompson got even closer when he rounded the Nelson keeper but then shot wide with the net beckoning.

Thompson then hit Nelson's upright and in another attack Darren Fullard shot inches the wrong side of the post as the visitors goals led a charmed life.

Padiham's third goal came in the 89th minute thanks to Storks captain Jamie Edmondson who headed in an Ian Whittaker corner to make the points safe at 3-1.

Even then the Storks had another great chance to score a fourth when Pilkington had a close-range shot saved point blank by Kirk.

This was Padiham's first victory over Nelson since returning to the North West Counties Football League two seasons ago. And it was witnessed by Padiham's biggest crowd of the season with 134 spectators.

PADIHAM ...3 NELSON...1