Evo-Stik League Premier Division: Farsley Celtic 2 Nantwich Town 0

A THIRD consecutive victory consolidated Farsley Celtic’s position in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division play-off places as they edged past Nantwich Town courtesy of a James Walshaw brace.

It was a tough game, played in a swirling wind and incessant drizzle, and the quality was not the best, with few chances created.

The most notable event in the first half was the Celts losing striker Adam Priestley to injury minutes before the break.

The Dabbers had started on the front foot but failed to make the most of their positive start as the sides went into the interval with the game goalless.

Walshaw netted the first of his double midway through the second half as he met a ball into the area and steered it past keeper Reece Quinn.

Eight minutes from time, Walshaw put the result beyond doubt when he neatly chipped Quinn after rounding his marker.

The win lifted Farsley up one place to fourth in the table after 15 games in their first season back in the Evo-Stik top tier.

All of the Division One sides were in Buildbase FA Trophy action, and Brighouse Town fell at the first hurdle as they were beaten by their nemesis Bamber Bridge.

Town had already travelled to Brig’s Sir Tom Finney Stadium twice before this term, losing the league meeting 3-2 a fortnight back and falling by the same scoreline in August when Brig also knocked Town out of the Emirates FA Cup.

Brighouse had to ride their luck at times in their third trip to the Preston- based outfit, but were only trailing 3-2 in stoppage time in the Trophy before the home side underlined their dominance with a fourth goal.

Town were 2-0 down after eight minutes after goals from Brad Carsley and Dan Mooney, with Carsley breaking the deadlock 20 seconds in.

Alistair Waddecar added later to see the home side take a three-goal lead into the break.

Vill Powell made a double substitution during the interval, and Town got a foothold when Aidan Kirby, one of the replacements, netted a 69th- minute penalty.

When Rob Worrell scored directly from a corner, it led to a nervy last ten minutes but Matt Dudley got on the end of a low cross deep into stoppage time and slotted the ball under advancing Town keeper Chandler Hallwood.