A LAST-minute goal by Padiham striker Ian Pilkington completed a remarkable fightback by the Storks at Ewood Bridge last night against last season's NWCL Division Two champions Stand Athletic.

For 70 minutes Stand controlled the game with their pacy forward Paul Thompson creating all sorts of problems.

He opening the scoring in the 18th minute and went close on two other occasions when only top class goalkeeping by Padiham's Kirk Marsden prevented him from completing a hat trick.

It was the same story after the break and in the 60th minute Thompson broke free and crossed for his strike partner Dave Gardener to head Stand into a 2-0 lead.

Things changed however, in the 73rd minute when an Anthony McCluskey corner was headed in by Storks captain Jamie Edmondson to give Padiham a lifeline.

Sub Stephen Yeoman got a touch to a flick-on by Edmondson in the dying seconds and it fell just right for Ian Pilkington who volleyed home spectacularly.

Stand's Simon Hannon was sent off by referee Paul Kershaw in the melee that followed for comments made to the linesman and in a bad-tempered end to the game.

STAND ATHLETIC...2 PADIHAM...2