It was a nail-biter but the UniBond League Challenge Cup, the flagship knockout competition of the Northern Premier League, is now in residence at Throstle Nest for the next 12 months.

If everyone at Farsley gets their way the trophy cabinet will soon be groaning under the weight of more silverware but for now they will happy with one pot - especially after they grafted to such an extent to land it.

Stocksbridge Park Steels may be from a division lower than the Celts but they had not come to enjoy their day out.

The visitors are pushing for promotion to the Premier Division and were looking to make a point by lifting the Challenge Cup.

They made it difficult for Farsley with their appetite and work-rate but came up against an experienced defence.

They may have run Farsley close in terms of statistics regarding possession and territorial advantage but the moments that brought the crowd to their feet were bossed by the Celts.

"It was a struggle, not the way we wanted it to pan out, but the main thing is we won the game," said Farsley manager Lee Sinnott.

"We will play much better than that because I know what my players are capable of but full credit to them for this

victory. Stocksbridge made it as hard as they could for us but the players found a way through.

"It was another game in which they had to dig deep into their strengths, both

mental and physical, and they must have got a bit frustrated out there on the pitch but they didn't show it.

"It made it an anxious 90 minutes for myself and John Deacy in the dugout - and probably the supporters on the terraces - but I think the players were more comfortable.

"The question is, did we win the cup? The answer is yes - but I don't think it will sink in for a day or so."

Stocksbridge were pumped up for the game and came out of the traps at top speed, not allowing Farsley to settle or giving them any time on the ball.

Home goalkeeper Paul Cuss had made two good saves in the first 16 minutes but Steels striker Andy Ring had already limped out of the contest by then, injured as he raced through to challenge Cuss.

Simeon Bambrook put the ball in the Steels net in the 18th minute but he had been in an offside position after staying forward to take a through-ball as the visitors' defence had stepped up.

Bambrook was to be the hero though and netted the winner just a minute before half-time, having seen a range-finder dip on to the roof of the net just two minutes earlier.

He must have been wondering if it was to be his day before he got his slice of fortune.

Bambrook's shot hit Steels keeper Steve Hodgson but clipped the underside of the bar and bounced well over the line.