Crisis club Farsley Celtic kept their first clean sheet in the league since early November in a closely fought 0-0 draw against fellow strugglers Warrington Town.
But the Celts – again playing a ‘home’ fixture 70 miles away from Farsley due to delays in laying a new 4G pitch – slipped into the National League relegation zone for the first time this season.
The young and inexperienced Celts side, missing a raft of departed and injured players, were under the leadership of new manager Neil Redfearn for the first time. He was joined in the dugout by the returning Pav Singh.
Redfearn made the welcome change of playing a back four, and the players put in a much-improved performance compared to recent weeks, which had seen them ship 11 goals in the last three games alone.
Farsley started positively and dominated the first 20 minutes, forcing six corners without really threatening the Warrington goal. It was the visitors who came closest to scoring, Farsley keeper Flavell pulling off a fine diving save low to his right to keep the scores level.
The second half was a more open game.
While Warrington edged the half, a good effort from range from Mampala saw the Warrington keeper make a fine save on 55 minutes. Four minutes later Flavell made another fine stop to deny the visitors.
On 66 minutes it was another good save from Flavell as O’Neil has a go from range, before the visitors hit the crossbar.
Iwobi almost notched his first Farsley goal with 15 minutes to go. Warrington defender Douglas covered well to clear from the goalline after Iwobi had flicked the ball past ‘keeper Atherton.
The Celts defended valiantly as the clock ticked down in injury time, preventing a late winner for the visitors.
The game was played in front of a small crowd that was mainly made up of travelling Warrington fans, with Farsley fans boycotting in protest.
New boss Redfearn will be pleased with the clean sheet as his side head back to Buxton on Tuesday to entertain bottom side Marine – and a chance to pull away from the relegation trap door which has been opening ominously for the Celts in recent weeks.
Line ups
Farsley Celtic: Flavell, Abankway, Misambo, Walker, Sloane, Hyde (Monteiro), Fielding, Mampala, Silva, Iwobi, Fox. Unused subs: Bumheira, Priestley-Standing.
Warrington Town: Atherton, Douglas, Harris, Amis, Vost (Dixon), Amaral (O’Neill), Williams, Morris (Rodwell-Grant), Southern, Hont, Clarke. Unused subs: Bennett, Noone.
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