PADIHAM found themselves two goals down in the opening three minutes of their NWCL Division Two fixture and found it difficult against the strong wind in the first half to get back into the game.

An own goal by Craig Wilkinson after only 40 seconds play and then a second Ashton goal courtesy of Dominic Shinks in the home side's next attack meant the Storks had an instant handicap at Edge Green Street.

Shaun Kendall did his best to get the Storks on the scoresheet in the eighth minute with a well-struck free kick that Ashton keeper Mike Boyne did well to tip over the bar, but for most of the remainder of the half it was Ashton that had the better chances. Paul Prescott and Les Bailey went close.

Any hopes of Padiham winning the game evaporated five minutes into the second half when Paul Prescott took advantage of some hesitant Storks defending to make it 3-0.

To their credit Padiham never gave up and, after Ian Pilkington had headed against the post and sent a shot across the face of the goal, Darren Forrest pulled one back in the 66th minute when he volleyed in a Robbie Smith cross.

Dean Stowe reduced the deficit again in the 85th minute when he converted a Darren Forrest cross with a diving header. And John Harrison missed a great chance of an equaliser in the final minute when unmarked he shot tamely wide with the goals beckoning.

ASHTON TOWN...3 PADIHAM...2