FARSLEY Celtic needed a penultimate-minute strike by skipper Danny Ellis to snatch a 1-1 draw from their Evo-Stik League trip to Rushall Olympic.

The home side had been in front from the 14th minute but the point the Celts earned kept them seventh in the Premier Division.

Farsley had forced the game's first opportunity but Dan Cockerline's 11th-minute shot was deflected and gathered by Pics keeper Jahquil Hill.

The Walsall-based hosts were a goal up soon after as Danny Waldren created space for himself and then dispatched a pin-point shot.

Waldren was lively and almost provided a second goal as his cross was headed wide by Richard Brodie.

The Celts regrouped at half-time and began the second period well, with Isaac Baldwin being thwarted by Hill and Nathan Cartman sending a shot wide minutes later.

Hill made a couple of top-drawer saves to deny Ellis but, just as the Dales Lane side looked like banking a ninth win of the season, he mishandled and Ellis seized the opportunity.

Adam Lakeland's men will host Shaw Lane in a New Year's Day clash knowing they ended 2017 just two points outside the play-off places and determined to finish the season in the top five.

Yet the Celts will be in for a tough test against Shaw Lane as they come up against a familiar face.

The Ducks are third, despite being frustrated by a postponement on Saturday, and are managed by former Brighouse Town boss Paul Quinn.

Brighouse were also denied any Saturday action and they too now face a tricky game as they travel to Tadcaster Albion in Division One North.

Town are still just clear of the relegation places, while the Brewers are in a healthy 14th spot, but only six points separate the sides.