CHRIS Smith improved his goals tally for the campaign with another brace, but it was not enough to deliver a first league win for Barnton.

The Villagers’ captain has now scored 20 times, although an inability to shut out opponents at the other end of the field continues to be his side’s undoing.

They kept pace with in-form hosts for the most part on Saturday.

Padiham took the lead in the eighth minute through Dominic Craig before Smith converted Ryan Malone’s smart assist to level.

The wide man continued to impress, and put Steve Lloyd’s men in front after half an hour with a fine solo effort.

However a sucker punch followed before the break when Spencer Jordan reached a long ball over Barnton’s defence before finishing coolly.

He repeated the trick on 61 minutes, and goalkeeper Rob Cooke kept the visitors in the contest with a string of saves afterwards.

It almost paid dividend when Smith’s attempt was smuggled off the goal-line by a defender before Jason McShane went close with an effort from the edge of the penalty area.

The Storks could be forgiven for thinking their job was done when Daniel Boyle made it 4-2, only for Smith to net again moments later.

Jake Hargreaves settled the outcome though with time running out, applying the finishing touch to a counter-attack.

After 18 attempts to date, rock-bottom Barnton still haven’t collected maximum points from a Premier Division fixture.

Barnton | Cooke (GK), Crofts, Hamid (Webster 88), Houghton, Ford, Mannion, Moores (Irlam 73), Jason McShane, Smith, Bandell (Woolley 78), Malone Subs not used James McShane Goals Smith 16, 78 Malone 30

Attendance 325