He netted on 74 minutes after the home side were penalised for handball, to set up a preliminary round trip to Bootle on August 30th.

But it was nothing more than the Storks deserved against their Vodkat League Premier Division hosts.

The home side had the better of the opening 10 minutes, with Dean Clarke looking sharp after having two early efforts saved by Rob Batty.

Padiham's first real chance came just before the quarter hour when Paul Barrett played in Mark Derbyshire, whose toe-poked effort was saved by Craig Ellison.

Derbyshire had another opening soon after, but once again failed to convert the chance, before Clarke went close again for Alsager.

And in the last minute of the half, Lee Duckworth had a deflected shot fly across the face of the Storks' goal before being turned away for a corner.

Padiham began to get on top after the break, and were disappointed to have a goal disallowed on 69 minutes.

But five minutes later they got their rewards, as Alsager were penalised for handball, and substitute Grimes made no mistake.

And despite a late rally by the home side, the goal proved enough to see the Storks through.

And they will play out a dress rehearsal of their next round tie when they travel to Bootle in the league on Saturday (kick-off 3 p.m.).