Padiham’s determination to ensure their Vodkat League Premier Division derby with Rossendale United went ahead paid double dividend on Saturday as the Storks picked up three points from their 2-0 win and also attracted their second highest attendance of the season to the Arbories.

Whether the game could go ahead was in doubt right up to an hour before kick off before Warrington referee Nick Barnham finally gave the green light after two inspections.

Both teams adapted well to the conditions with the visitors having the better of the opening before Padiham took lead.

A corner by Ed O’Neill on 12 minutes found Storks captain Martin Parkes, who volleyed in to give Padiham a 1-0 advantage.

Rossendale went close after the re-start and a goal-line clearance from Tom Bradley and an excellent save from Sean Davis prevented them from equalising.

But on 35 minutes Padiham doubled their lead after keeper Ben Proctor made saves from O’Neil and then Stuart Telfer before being beaten at the second attempt by a Telfer shot that found its way in via two Stags defenders on the line.

After the break, Padiham were in charge and could have gone ahead with Paul Fildes, Ben Hoskin and O’Neill going close, while the Stags also had chances with Andy Smith and Curtis Gallagher thwarted.