Farsley 2 Salford City 3

The imminent buyout of Salford City appeared to have a galvanising effect on the Greater Manchester club as they dented Farsley’s play-off hopes with a surprise win at Throstle Nest.

The Evo-Stik Division One North mid-table outfit were in the spotlight last week after news broke on Thurs-day that former Manchester United greats Phil and Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Nicky Butt had exchanged contracts on a deal to buy the club.

However, with none of the prospective new owners at Throstle Nest at the weekend, Farsley were looking for the victory that may have taken them back into the play-off places.

Despite taking an early lead, Neil Parsley’s men were thwarted by a spirited Salford side, who played like men on a mission. Adam Priestley put the home side in front in the third minute but Robert Kinsella levelled within quarter of an hour.

The game got away from the home side inside a two-minute spell just after the hour-mark. A cross from the left took a wicked deflection off Priestley and went in for an own goal before Jamie Rother put Salford 3-1 up.

Farsley pegged one back through Aiden Savory but it was not enough to spark a full comeback and Parsley’s men slipped one place to seventh.

Parsley said: “It was a massive disappointment after going a goal ahead.

“We got just the start we wanted but we didn’t build on it.

“We just didn’t play with any fluency, didn’t create many chances and didn’t do enough to protect our defence so Salford deserved their win because they worked for it.”