PADIHAM secretary Alan Smith is calling for commonsense to over-ride rules when it comes to a serious injury occurring in the last few minutes of a football match.

On Saturday the Storks were losing 3-1 at home to Oldham Town in the North West Counties Football League when Padiham goalkeeper Kirk Marsden sustained a double fracture to his leg with only four minutes fo the game remaining.

Both sides agreed that the match should be abandoned and both agreed that the scoreline at the time of the injury should stand.

However, referee Craig Howard, said that he couldn't abandon the game because of FA rules and that the four minutes still left in the game would have to take place when the injured player had been removed from the pitch.

Both Padiham manager Graham Haworth and Padiham defender Craig Williamson were red-carded for comments made to the referee over his decision and with the injured player Kirk Marsden being treated by paramedics on the pitch, emotions were running high.

It was at this stage that the Padiham secretary made a decision he hopes both the Lancashire FA and the North West Counties Football League understand when they receive the referee's report.

He asked the players to leave the pitch, then the referee then abandoned the game.

As to the game itself, Oldham Town thoroughly deserved their 3-1 win, Richard Graham, Darren Higgins and Kevin Beattie giving them a 3-0, with Marsden even saving a Beattie penalty. Martyn Thompson scored Padiham's only goal.

PADIHAM...1

OLDHAM TOWN...3

(aban after 86 mins)