PADIHAM made an early exit from this year's Worthington Challenge Trophy competiton when they lost 2-1 away to Norton United in the preliminary round.

A slippy playing surface made underfoot conditions difficult and resulted in an error-strewn game with no real momentum.

Padiham looked dangerous down the left in the first half with Wilkinson and Harrison sending in crosses that found Ian Pilkington in good positions but unable to convert.

This changed in the 44th minute when another left wing surge and cross from Harrison was helped on by Dean Stowe and converted from just outside the 18 yard box by Robbie Smith to make it 1-0.

Unfortunately Padiham's lead lasted only 50 seconds as a clumsy challenge by Harrison at the other end gave away a penalty and with the very last kick of the half Norton's Matt Melvin equalised from the spot kick to put the sides level 1-1.

In the second half Norton just had the edge and went 2-1 in front in the 55th minutes when Jeremy Coxon hit home what proved to be the game's winning goal.

In the dying minutes of the game Padiham threw men forward in an attempt to put the game into extra time. Dean Stowe could have equalised when through one on one with the keeper Paul Stanley but his shot was saved and from the loose ball Craig Wilkinson agonisingly sent a shot across the home side's crossbar to end another frustrated afternoon for the Storks who also lost defender Darren Fullard with a head injury that needed hospital treatment.

RESULT: NORTON UTD...2 PADIHAM...1