PADIHAM'S goal drought continued as they lost at home to NWCL Division Two newboys Norton Utd.

It now means the Storks have only scored once in their last five outings and have failed to score in six of their nine league games played this season.

Padiham defended well for the opening 25 minutes but went behind in the 28th minute when Matt Melvin slid in to convert a left wing cross.

Padiham went close before half time with a Jamie Edmondson header from a corner that went over the bar and a Craig Wilkinson 25 yard screamer that flew inches wide.

After the break Padiham's luck was out as Darren Forest had his effort headed off the goal line and Robbie Smith finished tamely with the goal at his mercy.

Norton made Padiham pay for their misses when Jeremy Coxon converted on 51 minutes.

The Storks introduced all three subs to try and change things and despite intense pressure in the last 15 minutes the Staffordshire side clinched the three points.

RESULT: PADIHAM...0 NORTON UTD...2