PADIHAM 4 - DARWEN 1

PADIHAM completed the double over their East Lancashire rivals Darwen last night courtesy of a 4-1 home win at the Arbories.

But for the opening 20 minutes it looked as though it was going to be another one of those nights as their leading goalscorer Lee Chambers failed to dispatch three excellent chances and then Darwen heaped more pressure on the home side when Paul Baker volleyed in a partially cleared corner to give the visitors the lead.

Padiham thought they had equalised in the 33rd minute when a bustling run by Lee Chambers saw him crash the ball into the Darwen net but a linesman's flag disallowed the goal for a foul.

Five minutes from half time Padiham did draw level when a foul on Chambers allowed Anthony McCluskie to make it 1-1 from the penalty spot.

In the second half Padiham dominated the game taking the lead three minutes after the restart when Shaun Kendall curled in a left wing cross to make it 2-1. Kendall added the Storks third in the 76th minute with a header from an Ian Pilkington cross and three minutes from time Lee Chambers finally got the goal he deserved heading in from close range after a shot from Martin Thompson was deflected into his path by the Darwen keeper Lee Purvis.

Padiham are at home to Castleton Gabriels tomorrow while Darwen have a local derby against Colne.