PADIHAM manager Graham Howarth has already made progess along the North West Counties learning curve.

Having revelled in their 4-1 opener at Alsager, the Storks came crashing down to earth with a bang at Catleton Gabriels with a 5-1 defeat.

Manager Graham Howarth said: "I told the players that we had been a bit naive and that we had to learn from our mistakes -- not just the players but me as well.

"I'm still learning at this level and I know nothing about tomorrow's opponent's Daisy Hill. Even people who have managed for just one year can recognise a player and say 'We need to take him out of the game'."

But Howarth can take from the fact that his side played with 10 men for 80 minutes against Castleton, following the dismissal of Anthony McCluskey.

He had been filling in at centre half for Andrew Lawson, who serves the last of a three game ban tomorrow.

Haworth is also without former Rossendale United man Paul Hargreaves, who is at a wedding.

So reserve players Martin Fletcher and Ian Whittaker have been drafted into the squad for the Daisy Hill game as well as Monday's local derby against Colne.