By Mark Rawlinson
Farsley Celtic were somewhat unfortunate to find themselves on the wrong end of a 2-0 defeat against local rivals York City.
With the Celts looking dangerous early doors, the Minstermen had to resist several first half chances and second half strikes from Clayton Donaldson and Lenell John-Lewis ensured their own push for the play-offs was maintained.
Farsley remain four points off the Vanarama National League relegation spot, with Guiseley losing 3-0 today, whilst fellow relegation rivals AFC Telford drew, whilst Blyth secured their own safety with a surprise 1-0 win at second placed Brackley Town. There are two games remaining.
The visitors were dealt an early scare inside two minutes as Jacob Gratton rifled a brilliant strike into the top corner, but the on-loan Rotherham United forward was denied by the offside flag.
Luke Parkin and Jimmy Spencer both then came close to opening the scoring for Farsley in the opening 15 minutes, before Dave Robson was called into action in the Celts goal, first denying Akil Wright from distance and then Maz Kouhyar.
Then on the half-hour mark, Kouhyar saw his attempt cleared off the line by centre-half Adam Clayton.
The ever-energetic Frank Mulhern also came close on a couple of occasions before the break, firstly with a free-kick which flew just over the bar and then in the last minute of the half, he saw a pinpoint shot blocked by a switched-on York defender.
Farsley could’ve broken the deadlock on 52 minutes through two quick-fire chances; Adam Clayton saw his header cleared off the line and then Parkin was denied by a good save from Pete Jameson.
But promotion-chasers York took the lead on the 75-minute mark. A fortunate ricochet saw a Farsley clearance fall to the experienced Donaldson, who slotted the ball in.
And the visitors ensured the win three minutes from time, as John-Lewis latched onto the ball and he tucked the ball past Robson from the edge of the box.
Farsley Celtic: Robson, Turner, Digie, Clayton, Butroid (Drake 51 (Greaves 83)), Parkin, Syers, Hayhurst, Gratton, Spencer, Mulhern. Subs not used: Trenerry, Malumo, Ingham.
York City: Jameson, Dyson, Kouogun, Sanders, Barrow, Kouhyar, Wright, McLaughlin, Hancox (John-Lewis 73), Willoughby (Brown 88), Donaldson. Subs not used: Woods, Campbell, McKay.
Attendance: 1,576.