ADAM Lakeland is facing a fresh problem tonight as he looks to lift his side following back-to-back league defeats for the first time as Farsley Celtic manager.

It has been a promising opening to the campaign after he took over in the close season but last Saturday’s game - the Celts’ 13th this term - ended in a 2-1 home defeat against Barwell.

That defeat followed a 6-0 humbling at Altrincham, and tonight Farsley make the journey to Marine.

The Merseyside outfit are a lowly 19th in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division and are averaging just one point per game after a dozen league fixtures.

Despite their consecutive losses in the league, the Celts are seventh and are just four points off the summit, although leaders Shaw Lane have a game in hand.

Lakeland said: “We were prepared for another tough game on Saturday and were hoping to bounce back following the poor display at Altrincham, and we’re all frustrated that we weren’t able to.

“We’ve been excellent at home so far so it’s disappointing that we weren’t quite at it last Saturday and, as a result, we lost our unbeaten home record.

"We’ll dust ourselves down and go again at Marine, looking for an improved performance.”

Thackley are also in action tonight with a home league fixture after their reprieve in the Buildbase FA Vase fell flat at the Mitton Group Stadium at Dennyfield at the weekend.

The Dennyboys got an unexpected chance to progress, despite being beaten 5-0 away in the first qualifying round.

Thackley were reinstated following a breach of the rules by Padiham, who had beaten the Dennyboys in a re-scheduled tie after the original date had been washed out.

The news that they were back in the competition didn’t come until late last week so the preparation was far from ideal.

Chris Reape’s men were beaten 3-2 after extra-time by Ashington, the north-east side managed by one of England cricket’s Ashes-winning heroes Steve Harmison.

It was a see-saw game and a difficult defeat to take after both sides gave their all throughout the 120 minutes.

Tonight’s visitors to Dennyfield are Clipstone, who are rock bottom of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Premier Division.

Thackley will be looking for the home win that could lift them back into the top half of the table, depending on results elsewhere.