Barnoldswick Town 2 Padiham 1

BARNOLDSWICK Town completed a North West Counties League Premier Division double over neighbours Padiham on Tuesday night.

It wasn't one of their most fluent performances of the season but it was good enough to keep them in fourth place.

The first chance of the game fell to Town striker John Beckwith after Mark Threlfall had headed on Carl Ellerton's cross. Beckwith's firm shot was saved by Padiham keeper Sean Davis.

Town were enjoying the better of the play and continued to look the more threatening of the two sides. Padiham skipper Martin Parkes just beat Threlfall to a Beckwith cross while a Scott Moore cross just eluded Threlfall

The Town supporters thought their side should have had a penalty on the half-hour mark. Ben Gorman chased a ball towards the Padiham penalty area and was brought down by Davis.

The referee ruled that the offence took place just outside the penalty area and he showed the goalkeeper a yellow card.

Town were forced into a substitution after 37 minutes when Matthew Cavanagh picked up a knee injury and was replaced by Harry Thompson.

There was a scare for the home side in the 40th minute when Chris Ridehalgh made a hash of a clearance that let Curtis Haley in. Thankfully, Jordan Gidley stayed strong until the last moment and saved his shot with his legs at the expense of a corner.

Ellerton made a great saving tackle two minutes later to deny Sean Cookson and Gidley was forced to save from Dominic Slaven before Town took the lead in the second minute of injury time.

Gorman cracked a great cross along the Padiham six-yard box and Threlfall hammered the ball home at the far post.

Town nearly scored immediately after the interval, Gorman did well slipping the ball to Joe Gaughan whose shot was blocked by Fowler.

Padiham started to look more dangerous as the half progressed and the Town midfield were unable to keep the ball for any length of time.

But against the run of play, Town increased their lead. A neat move between Threlfall and Gaughan saw Gorman just get to the ball before the Padiham defence to force the ball home after 68 minutes.

Town only held the two-goal lead for three minutes, a Padiham corner on the Town left was forced home at the far post by Fowler.

Padiham pushed for an equaliser but Town held out. They even had a chance to restore their two-goal lead, but Threlfall was unable to connect following a corner.

Town now have two successive away games at 1874 Northwich on Saturday and AFC Darwen on Wednesday.