PADIHAM manager Graham Howarth made five changes from his starting
line-up that featured against Squires Gate in midweek for Saturday's Vodkat North West Counties Football League fixture at the Arbories but it didn't bring the Storks any rewards.

Padiham struggled to get a foothold in the game in the early stages of the first half and needed a top-class save from goalkeeper Sean Davis on four minutes to keep out a Daniel O'Connor header.

Further Bootle pressure paid off 10 minutes later when after defending two corners, Padiham conceded an own goal when a cross in was headed over Davis into the goal by midfielder Michael Morrison.

Padiham had a great chance to equalise on 35 minutes when Stuart Telfer played in Lee Morris who shot against the post with away keeper Mark Mawdsley well beaten.

After half-time, Padiham dominated possession and only a match-winning
performance by Mawdsley kept the Storks at bay.

On 55 minutes, he made a one-handed save from a Michael Morrison header and in Padiham's next attack, Mawdsley saved well from a Nehru McKensie effort.

On 59 minutes, Chris Ridehalgh got free on the left and fired in a low hard cross that just needed a touch to bring Padiham back on level terms but the visiting defence eventually scrambled the ball clear.

Mawdsley was in action again to save a Morris header on 61 minutes and a scuffed McKensie shot a minute later.

However Mawdsley's best save came after 69 minutes when a goal-bound free-kick from Robbie Smith was somehow clawed away by Mawdsley to keep Bootle's lead intact.

Then, as so often happens, Bootle scored against the run of play to make it 2-0.

A break by Kevin Black on 74 minutes resulted in his chip into the box being volleyed in by substitue Stephen Mahony to end any chance of a
Padiham's fightback.