Farsley boss Neil Parsley broke his own code during the week by complimenting his side’s defensive efforts this season.

Parsley, a full back with Leeds United and West Brom in his playing days, and assistant Mark Jackson, the former Scunthorpe United and Rochdale centre back, like to keep things tight at the back.

It is now 16 games since Farsley tasted defeat but Parsley was grudging as he paid tribute to the part their solid defence has played in that run.

Following last weekend’s 1-0 victory at Evo-Stik League play-off rivals Bamber Bridge, which earned second place in the Premier Division, Parsley was delighted with the clean sheet.

“Our defence will always be criticised by me and Jacko because we are both ex-defenders,” said Parsley.

“Clean sheets win football matches and I’m a firm believer in that. If we do that then we will always have a chance to win games because we have the players in our side that will get you goals.

“It’s simple mathematics really. If we don’t concede then just one goal scored will win us the game.

“We, me and Jacko, are always on at the players to realise how important that is and we pick up on every mistake, hesitation or lapse of concentration. But I have to give all of the credit for last week’s win to our back five because they were absolutely magnificent.

“It was the ideal away win – in many respects a smash-and-grab raid, if you like. But those three points against a promotion rival could make all the difference at the end of the season.”