PADIHAM suffered only their second NWCL Division Two defeat of the season when they lost 2-1 to Derbyshire side New Mills.
A late Vinny Braine goal robbed Padiham of what would have been a hard fought for point.
But what might be more damaging to the Storks' promotion hopes was the sending off of leading scorer, Paul Fildes, midway through the second half.
Earlier, Fildes had given the Storks a 14th minute lead, which lasted until the 57th minute, when Carlos Meakin ran through unchecked to unleash a screamer.
Three minutes later, Padiham were reduced to 10 men, which gave New Miils the extra man and the edge to go on and win it with a goal by Braine right at the death.
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