PADIHAM were denied two clear penalties late in this derby clash.
But they still safely banked three promotion points to stay in the hunt for top-flight football next season.
The Storks overcame a hard-working Darwen side to win a tough North West Counties Football League encounter.
A superb volley from Padiham's leading scorer Paul Fildes gave the visitors an early scare on seven minutes, and only a full-length diving save from keeper Andrew Morris kept it out.
Rob Batty repeated that feat at the other end on 22 minutes when Jeff Moulton fired in a dangerous shot and Batty turned the ball round the post.
Moulton then headed the resultant corner against Padiham's upright before sending the rebound inches over the top with an acrobatic overhead kick as Darwen let the home side know they were in for a game.
Both sides had half chances as the game progressed, with Padiham coming closest to opening the scoring just before half-time when Liam Denning volleyed another effort just over the Darwen crossbar.
The same player had a free kick well saved by Morris five minutes into the second half, and in the 65th minutes the Storks finally broke the deadlock.
A move down Padiham's left resulted in a James Galley looping cross being headed home by Storks' captain Craig Chadwick.
Fildes nearly made it 2-0 five minutes later with a shot over Morris's head which was only kept out by the hand of a Darwen defender who flicked the ball over the crossbar.
To everyone's astonishment, referee Peter Simm waved away the penalty appeals of the home side and awarded a goal kick.
Minutes later the Storks had another strong shout for a penalty when Fildes was up-ended in the Darwen area.
Again the referee was having none of it, despite the fact that his assistant initially flagged for the infringement.
This double let-off gave Darwen new hope and both former Padiham striker Denny Khan and Paul Posseraro sent shots over the crossbar.
In the 86th minute Padiham had a mighty let off when Posseraro had a shot deflected on to the post, and Chris McMillan put the rebound wide with an open goal at his mercy.
The Storks weathered that Darwen storm and held out for three vital points in their chase for promotion.
They were due to put their promotion credentials on the line yesterday afternoon with a trip to Nelson.
And on Saturday they entertain Oldham Town (3 p.m.) .
Goodshaw United 3
Padiham A 3
Padiham won 4-3 on penalties
PADIHAM A booked a place in the semi-finals of the East Lancashire League President's Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot out at Rossendale United's Dark Lane ground.
Padiham started well but missed chances by Thomas Riley and Anthony Pearson and a shot against the crossbar by Joe Stacey meant the game remained goal-less at the interval.
A disastrous start to the second half saw the young Storks go a goal behind from the kick-off.
They levelled on 55 minutes when Adam Hayton converted a Chris Greenwood pass.
And they went ahead on 70 minutes when Hayton rounded the keeper following a through-ball from Stacey.
With only a minute of normal time remaining, Goodshaw equalised to send the game into extra-time.
Padiham regained the lead in the first period of extra-time when Hayton completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.
But they could not keep hold of their lead and conceded again to send the game into the shoot-out lottery.
Stacey, Hayton, Anthony Riley and Martin Parkes all converted their spot kicks to send the Storks through to the last four.
They will now meet Oswaldtwistle St Mary's or Rock Rovers in the semi-finals next Tuesday at Barnoldswick Town (6-30 p.m.).