But it was also one that will impact badly on next season, in terms of suspensions, as Preston-based referee Mark Green found it necessary to book six players and send off Padiham midfielder Martin Parkes.

It was a decision that, in the long run, had a telling impact on the final result as Parkes was the Storks' most outstanding player during his time on the pitch.

In the opening few minutes alone, Parkes had tested the home keeper James Hall, with two headers that needed good saves. He also had a headed goal disallowed.

At the other end, Kirk Marsden's return to first team football after a four-year absence with a double leg fracture, saw him pull off a great save from an angled shot from Dan Brown.

Marsden then set up the opening goal after 15 minutes when his long goal kick bounced up kindly for Paul Barrett to volley home a dipping 30-yard effort.

Padiham should have doubled their lead on 28 minutes when Tony Pickersgill found himself free and on the good side of the keeper, but shot straight at a Stone defender to miss what would later prove to be an important chance.

Then came a four-minute spell in the lead up to half-time that completely changed the outcome of this Vodkat League Second Division game.

A "Keystone Cops" piece of officialdom initially saw the referee award Padiham a free kick for off-side, and then, after what seemed an age of muddled indecision, changed his mind after words with the assistant referee to give Stone the free kick for a foul.

This led directly to the home side drawing level when the dead ball situation led to Marsden completely misjudging the flight of the free kick, and Alex Baird forced the ball in from close range.

Almost immediately, referee Green was at the centre of another controversial decision when Stone's James Curley flattened Padiham's Parkes in a challenge, and the two clashed briefly when getting up.

To everyone's surprise, Parkes was shown a red card, while Curley was shown yellow, leaving Padiham a man down at the half-time interval.

The home side took full advantage of the extra man in the opening 20 minutes of the second half, with Marsden pulling off a number of saves to keep Padiham in the game.

Then came the home side's second goal on 65 minutes, when a corner was only partially cleared and Jamie Cartwright let fly with an absolute screamer that rocketed into the back of the Storks' net to give Stone a 2-1 lead.

Padiham produced a grandstand finish that, on another day, might have brought some reward.

Neil Almond failed on two occasions to convert well-worked openings, and in the dying minutes of the game, Barrett blasted over a Chris Ridehalgh pull back to sum up a disappointing afternoon.

Tuesday sees Padiham travel to Leek CSOB, and supporters who wish to travel on the team coach are asked to contact club secretary Alan Smith (07775 717698) to reserve a seat.

The coach will leave Padiham at 5 p.m. from outside the Whalley Range.