PADIHAM manager Steve Wilkes is taking the rap for his side's inability to win at bottom placed Norton United last week.

Wilkes admitted that the Storks' performance was far from up to scratch but conceded he had tinkered too much with his line-up.

"I take the blame for only drawing last Saturday," he said.

"We didn't perform well, which didn't help, but I put three people in for their first starts of the season and it was possibly one, or maybe two, too many.

"Matt Swailes, Matt Henry and Ross Barnham all came in, plus I moved Lee Anderson to right back and Steve Pickup to left back - so in essence that's five changes.

"But I don't take the blame for the performances in the last two games.

"We've had a great start to the season but seem to have got into that comfort zone where we think we've just got to turn up.

"We're not as good a side as the players think we are.

"But Saturday is probably the game we need to get us focused again because, if Winsford were to win all their games in hand they'd be a point ahead of us."

Matt Anderton may need a late fitness check after sustaining an ankle knock at the weekend.

but Wilkes hopes Lee Webb will be back in contention after being sidleined for a month, also with an ankle injury.

NWCL Division Two

Winsford v Padiham

PADIHAM are hoping to get back to winning ways when they travel to Winsford tomorrow.

The Storks only managed a draw last weekend against bottom side Norton United but boss Steve Wilkes isn't too concerned:

"I take the blame for only drawing last Saturday.

"We didn't perform well, which didn't help, but I put three people in for their first starts of the season and it was possibly one, or maybe two, too many.

""Matt Swailes, Matt Henry and Ross Barnham all came in and I moved Lee Anderson to right back and Steve Pickup to left back - so in essence that's five changes."

Padiham are one of only two sides unbeaten in the North West Counties League, with third placed Cammell Laird also yet to lose and with just five

points separating those two the Storks will be desperate to keep ahead of the pack.

"We've had a great start to the season but seem to have got into that comfort zone where we think we've just got to turn up.

"We're not as good a side as the players think we are.

"But Saturday is probably the game we need to get us focused again because Winsford are only 11 points below us with four games in hand!"

Wilkes will make a late check on Matt Anderton who suffered an ankle injury last weekend but Lee Webb could return after a month out with a similar problem.

Mullen: Defeat did us good

, Mullen