WINSFORD United warmed up for a Macron Cup quarter-final on Monday in the best possible way – by inflicting a defeat on Padiham at the weekend.

It is the latest in a sequence of encouraging results for Lee Duckworth’s men, who have now won four of their past five matches in all competitions.

Charnock Richard visit St Luke’s Barton Stadium for a last-eight tie tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

Blues began brightly, although their shooting was wayward, but they were relieved to see Aaron Fleming’s header flash wide of an upright.

Michael Koral was more accurate when he raced clear after quarter of an hour, only for goalkeeper Marcus Burgess to stretch fully to divert his shot to safety.

A breakthrough arrived on 24 minutes when full-back Damian Skolorzysnki’s centre found Koral, who finished with power.

The Storks almost fell further behind when Wes Benjamin came close to deflecting a cross into his own net, and Burgess tipped over Will Foster’s header from the resulting corner.

Winsford’s lead remained intact at the break thanks to their custodian Ben Chapman after he turned Danny Boyle’s close-range attempt around a post.

Blues continued to make the running in the second-half, and Callam Gardner’s set-piece was blocked by Burgess.

Jason Fowles’ cross-cum-shot was smuggled off the goal-line too.

At the other end, the same player cleared for a corner after a Padiham player had returned a clearance back towards goal with Chapman out of position.

Substitute Declan Daniels teed up Koral on 68 minutes, and his spectacular volley was inches from hitting the target.

Lee Duckworth’s men doubled their lead shortly afterwards when Gardner converted a penalty in convincing fashion after the he had been felled by Fleming in shooting stride.

The Padiham man was also dismissed by referee Mark Powell.

Adam Freeland’s low drive from distance halved the home team’s arrears before Chapman denied them a share of the spoils when he came face-to-face with Danny Boyle.

Gardner’s miss in added time, when he sliced wide after appearing certain to score, did not prove costly.

Padiham | Burgess (GK), Hoskin, Freeland, Morrison, Ayres, Sanders, Craig, Benjamin (Hart 46), Jordan, Boyle, Fleming Subs not used Lancaster, Anderson, Duffy, Kenneth Taylor Goal Freeland 87 Booked Hoskin, Morrison, Ayres, Craig, Jordan Sent off Fleming

Winsford | Chapman (GK), Fowles, Skolorzynski, Rothwell, McLellan (Lee Duckworth 46), Foster, Koral, Hopper, McLaughlin (Johnson 77), Gardner, Bircumshaw (Daniels 26) Subs not used Michael Taylor, Osborne (GK) Goals Koral 24, Gardner 70 (penalty) Booked Rothwell

Referee Mark Powell

Attendance 271