Evo-Stik League Premier Division: Farsley Celtic 0 Lancaster City 0

LAST season’s Evo-Stik Division One North title rivals couldn’t be separated in their first meeting in the Premier Division following their promotions last May.

It was the Lancastrians that reached the finish line first and lifted the championship trophy, but the Celts soon confirmed their place in the higher division via the play-offs.

Last night proved that they are still close rivals as they battled out a goalless draw that maintained the unbeaten start for both clubs.

There were few chances early on but the home side threatened midway through the first half when Adam Priestley forced the Dolly Blues’ keeper into a save with a header from a corner.

Lancaster keeper Josh Powell was in action again soon after as he parried a Chris Atkinson effort for another corner but Farsley’s centre forward James Walshaw just failed to convert the flag-kick.

The Celts didn’t have things all their own way, however, and home keeper Graeme McKibbon had to save from Ricky Mercer after the Lancaster skipper had diverted a free-kick towards goal.

In the second half, the Dolly Blues created another half chance but Hannu Tam scuffed his shot, making it easy for McKibbon to gather.

Both managers made changes as they sought to gain the upper hand but a draw was a fair result.

In the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division, Liversdege fell way short in their bid to break the highest  attendance at Clayborn, but they did bank a point from the visit of Garforth Town.

It was a 2-2 draw and Sedge had to come back twice as Lee Turner gave Garforth a first-half lead and the same player netted a second-half penalty.

Roy Fogarty cancelled out Turner’s opener after great work from Devonte Morton early in the second half.

Aaron Fell earned Sedge a point in spectacular style with a superb volley.

A crowd of 293 witnessed Fell’s well-struck effort, which was far below Sedge’s attempt the break four figures and set a new attendance record.

Top-tier rivals Albion Sports slipped to a 4-2 defeat at Pontefract Collieries.

The Lions were bidding to go above their hosts in the early table but were 3-1 down by half-time.

Ponte’s former Campion striker Eli Hey gave the home side a lead when he netted an early penalty, but Albion were soon level after Omar Habeeb netted from the spot.

The home side’s Chris Jackson bagged a first-half brace and went on to claim a hat-trick after the break before Aran Basi scored a late second for Kulwinder Sandhu’s men.

There is just one game involving the local semi-pro sides tonight as Campion host Ollerton Town in NCEL Division One.

The Newark-based visitors and Campion were both new to the non-league ladder last season and played out a 1-1 draw at Scotchman Road, with Eli Hey being the home side’s scorer.

Ollerton have enjoyed an excellent start to this term and travel to Bradford defending a 100 per cent start.

They have won four games, while James Bicknell’s Campion have seven points from two wins and a draw before last Saturday’s 2-0 home defeat to Knaresborough Town.