PADIHAM manager Graham Haworth got his tactics exactly right against derby rivals Nelson at Victoria Park on Saturday.

He surprised everybody by starting the game with three forwards instead of his normal line-up of just two and frustrasting the home side's attempts at getting back players forward by keeping them pegged back in their own half.

It led to a game with opportunities being creating at both ends of the field and at the end of 90 minutes an honours even 1-1 draw that suited Padiham more than Nelson.

Both sides hit the woodwork in the opening 20 minutes with Nelson's Mark Smith heading against the Storks' upright in the first minute of the game and Padiham's Lee Chambers heading against Nelson's crossbar after 20 minutes.

However, in the 28th minute it was Padiham who took the lead when a through ball from Darren Forrest played in John Harrison and his pinpoint cross was headed home by Lee Chambers to give the Storks a 1-0 lead which they held until half time despite both sides creating further openings.

After the break Nelson had an early chance to draw level when a deep driven corner was headed back into the Storks 18 yard box and Jonathan Irvine headed over from close range.

Lee Chambers flashed a shot across the face of the Nelson goal at the other end and Dean Stowe shot over when well placed to do better. Nelson should have equalised in the 70th minute when Kiko Rodriguez lost his marker for the first time in the game to set up Mick Molyneux but the nippy winger headed over when it looked easy to score and the chance was missed.

A three-man substitution by Nelson and an injury to Padiham's Lee Chambers seemed to give Nelson the edge in the final 15 minutes of the game with Andy Haworth adding some much needed impetus to the home side.

In the 78th minute he headed just wide from a free kick but within a minute made up for his miss when he fired home a beauty from 20 yards out to level the scores at 1-1.

Padiham keeper Kirk Marsden made two important saves before the final whistle to ensure Padiham returned home with a fully deserved share of the points and their pride very much intact.

RESULT: NELSON 1 PADIHAM 1