Farsley Celtic slumped to a frustrating and disappointing 2-0 defeat to local rivals Ossett Town as they lost their grip on the title, writes Thomas Ritchie.
Lancaster City take a one point advantage into the final day after their 3-0 win at home to Kendal Town.
Both sides struggled to create any clear cut opportunities early on, however Ossett settled the quickest and came close to taking the lead midway through the half.
Nathan Curtis crossed to Alex Peterson, whose effort was blocked on the line by Aiden Savory.
Farsley then came agonisingly close to taking the lead themselves as Adam Clayton rose highest to head Ryan Watson’s free-kick goal wards, only for Leigh Overton to make a flying fingertip save to preserve his clean sheet.
Clayton was then Farsley’s saviour as Ossett came close, with Jason Yates’ blocked shot falling to Alex Peterson who swept towards goal only to be denied on the line again, this time by Adam Clayton.
Ossett then stunned the home crowd to take the lead five minutes into the second half. Farsley looked to clear their lines but the ball fell to Martin Pembleton on the edge of the box who volleyed the ball into the back of the net, past the outstretched hand of Graeme McKibbin.
Ossett should have doubled their lead on the hour mark as Jason Yates was played in by Danny Frost, however McKibbin raced out to narrow the angle and Yates could only shoot wide of the target.
Both sides came close to scoring midway through the half, first Adam Clayton again saw his headed effort saved by Overton, before at the other end a Martin Pembleton cross picked out Darol Lucas, whose header was brilliantly tipped around the post by Graeme McKibbin.
With time running out Farsley had a fabulous opportunity to snatch a point and deny Ossett a victory.
Adam Clayton’s ball forward was flicked on by Aiden Savory which sent substitute Richard Marshall racing through on goal. With time to pick his spot or play a pass, he squared the ball to a wide open Chris Atkinson who somehow shot wide when it seemed easier to score.
As Farsley searched desperately for an equaliser and with goalkeeper Graeme McKibbin up for a free-kick, Farsley were picked off by Ossett who swiftly countered allowing Martin Pembleton to tap home and wrap up a crucial victory for Town.
Farsley Celtic: McKibbin, Hardy (c), Howarth, Turner (Marshall 38), Clayton, Savory, Nightingale, Watson, Colley (Atkinson 61), Deacey, Walker. Unused subs: P. Davidson, Morgan.
Ossett Town: Overton, Hawksworth, Jackson, Yates, Gay, Assenso, Pembleton, Ridley (Lucas 49), Peterson (c), Frost (Mackie 86), Curtis (Riley 90). Unused subs: Wright, Ellam.
MOTM: Tyrone Gay
Attendance: 356