THERE was a double blow for Farsley Celtic on their return to action as they were heavily beaten by Vanarama National League North rivals York City and lost midfielder Jordan Deacey to injury.

It was a competitive and entertaining friendly but the Minstermen were soon in control as Danny Parslow forced home at the far post as the visitors converted a tenth- minute corner.

York striker Jon Parkin hit the first of a first-half brace before the Celts got on the scoreboard through a familiar channel.

James Walshaw beat the new Minstermen’s keeper Jon Worsnop but Parkin’s second saw the visitors still two goals up at the break, and Kaine Felix added a fourth.

After the defeat, new Farsley manager Adam Lakeland said: “I was pleased with the fitness and performance of our players against a very good York City squad.

“There were a lot of positives but the big negative is Jordan because it looks as though he’s done his ACL, and that will be a massive blow. He’ll be having a scan as soon as we can get one arranged.”

Deacey had only joined the fray at start of the second half and twisted his left knee as his studs got caught in the turf just ten minutes after coming on.

Lakeland added: “If it is as bad as we think then he’ll be out for a long time and it’ll mean we have lost two players in that position in three days.

"Lewis Nightingale has gone after taking up a full-time coaching role at Everton.

“So from having that midfield well stocked, we are lacking now and might have to do something about that before the season starts.”

Brighouse Town also suffered a home defeat against higher- ranking opposition as FC Halifax Town made the short hop to the Dual Seal Stadium and cruised to a comfortable 4-2 win.

An early brace from Scott McManus put the Shaymen in control by the half-hour mark, and Liam King added a third minutes before the interval.

Halifax, who are in action again at Gainsborough Trinity on Tuesday, made ten changes at half time.

Adam Morgan made it 4-0 with a spectacular strike from inside his own half before Brighouse rallied late on as they replied with two goals from trialists.

Albion Sports rented the pitch at Bradford Academy's John Craig Centre so that they could get their first friendly played, and they shared ten goals with Hunslet in a 5-5 thriller.

Albion should have been at their rented home of Throstle Nest on Wednesday but Bradford City have pulled that game for their development side.

Silsden began their pre-season with a 3-0 home defeat to Yorkshire Amateur, while Eccleshill United’s friendly fixtures get under way tomorrow night when they host Shaw Lane.