Whitchurch Alport suffered their first defeat at step 5 with a narrow reverse away at Padiham FC on a frustrating afternoon in Lancashire.
 
It was very much a game of mistakes and misfortune for the red men with goals from Sean Griffiths and Simon Everall not enough to return to Shropshire with even a single point for their efforts.
 
The game was evenly matched for most of the afternoon between two competitive sides who were a credit to their clubs. Padiham skipper Chris Turner shot narrowly wide from 25 yards for the first decent opportunity for the Storks. Alport looked to get Tim Sanders on the ball for much of the first half and good chances fell for Joe Howell and Alex Hughes. The home goalkeeper then pulled off a good save down to his left hand side from a Sanders free kick. It was however Padiham who struck first after Alport switched off from a corner and Turner drilled home from 10 yards.
 
There was an instant reply from Alport though right on half time. After a Lee Pickerill free-kick the goalkeeper failed to keep hold of the ball and Griffiths was left with a simple finish into the empty goal. HT 1-1
 
A fair reflection at half time and the second half proved just as competitive. Now going down the Padiham slope Alport looked to stamp their authority on the fixture. The Storks looked a huge threat when given space however and this led to an end to end entertaining game. Although Alport enjoyed a good share of possession and momentum they were soon to be undone following a penalty kick on 70 minutes. Darren Campion looked to shield the ball out for a goal kick when he was judged to have pulled down the Padiham striker. That man Turner finished well past Parton to gain his second goal of the afternoon. Much like in the first half the reaction was good from the visitors and the equaliser was instant. A Sanders corner found Howell who headed back across goal where skipper Simon Everall glanced a header into the bottom corner to bring the scoreline level. At this point it looked like Alport would now go on to push for all 3 points with 15 minutes left. Alport were disallowed that third goal on 80 minutes when Everall headed a Nick Marley cross into the corner following a mistake from the home goalkeeper but he was somehow judged to be offside. The game remained very open but the final mistake came  with five minutes on the clock. A Padiham midfielder was allowed too much time to turn, his shot although not powerful bobbled in front of Parton who could only spill the effort where the Storks no.9 followed in to sneak the ball past Parton at the near post. Into the final moments and substitute Nick Porter was dismissed following a late challenge as the game finished with the home side earning back to back league victories. FT 3-2