PADIHAM made hard work of beating West Lancashire Football League Division One derby rivals Whinney Hill at Altham and had to wait until the 87th-minute of a disappointing encounter to clinch the decisive goal that enabled them to come away with a 2-1 victory.

Whinney Hill missed a 30th-minute first half penalty when Padiham keeper Bobby Morris anticipated the spot kick correctly and saved well. But apart from this flicker of excitement, the first half was one to forget.

The second half improved when Padiham took a 1-0 lead thanks to a 20-yard strike by Jason Tansey.

Whinney Hill took command of the play and after two near misses equalised when John Blackburn scrambled in a goal in the 84th minute.

Unfortunately for the home team they could not hold on to the draw as Padiham struck the winner with three minutes to go when Paul Hargreaves reacted the quickest to a loose ball in the six yard box to give Padiham their sixth league win of the season.

Padiham Reserves had no game and Padiham A lost 1-0 away to Bacup in the Premier Division of the Burnley and District League.

Padiham's first team are away to Poulton Town on Saturday (kick-off 3pm), and before the match the club will receive its West Lancashire Football League team of the month award for August after winning five and drawing one of their six league matches that month.

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