FOLLOWING last Saturday’s exit from the FA Trophy, Farsley Celtic's joint manager Neil Parsley was full of praise for his players.

The Celts battled through four rounds and took the scalps of two clubs higher up the football pyramid on their way to last weekend’s first-round clash.

The draw was unkind as it brought a meeting with Vanarama National North outfit Southport, who eased through 4-0, despite the Celts having home advantage.

Parsley was still delighted at the club’s progress as, no doubt, were chief executive officer Josh Greaves and the club’s president John Palmer.

The run will have brought some much appreciated funds into the coffers.

Parsley’s pride was purely from a football perspective, however, and he said: “It may have ended with that home defeat but I have to say that I’m so proud of the players during the run in the Trophy and the FA Cup.

“The whole squad has been involved and each player has done himself proud and the club.

"They have been committed, determined and have been at their best to pull off some excellent results.”

Farsley played six games in the Trophy, including a home draw against National North outfit Tamworth before winning 4-0 in the replay.

The Celts also played four FA Cup ties, winning three without conceding before being beaten 1-0 at home by Bishop Auckland in the penultimate qualifying round.

“It’s been a great adventure and the players deserve all of the credit,” added Parsley.

“To a man, the players have been a credit to the club in the cup games, and they have kept picking up points in the league, so we’re still in a good position now that the two big national competitions are no longer a distraction.

“We have got a few games in hand now but that shouldn’t be an issue for us because we have strength in depth with this squad and we’ve picked no fresh injuries up over the cup runs.”