FARSLEY Celtic reached the 60-point mark for the season in the Evo-Stik League Premier with a 2-1 comeback victory at Matlock Town’s DCJ Group Insurance Stadium.

It was a break in play for the groundstaff to sweep the snow off the lines just before the hour that proved to be the turning point for the Celts.

The Gladiators were a goal to the good at the time but Farsley re-grouped and kept their concentration better than the home side to win the game inside the last half-hour.

Matlock had been denied a 10th-minute opener by the woodwork as a great run by Jake Green ended with a final ball to Ricardo German. He looked odds-on to break the deadlock but, instead of finding the back of the net, his effort struck a post.

The Gladiators remained on top and their persistence was rewarded in the 32nd minute when they finally edged in front, Shaun Harrad flicking Michael Williams’ corner past Celts keeper Graeme McKibbon at the near post.

German should have doubled the home side’s lead after rounding McKibbon but he fired over the target and earned himself a yellow card later for a late challenge on Lewis Turner, while Nathan Turner forced the Gladiators keeper Richard Walton into a fine save in first-half stoppage time.

Into the second half Curtis Morrison fired just wide for the home side while Adam Clayton had a shot cleared off the line by Green before the interruption because of the increasingly heavy snowfall.

Just two minutes after play resumed, Celts skipper Danny Ellis netted the equaliser from close range as he forced home Lewis Turner’s cross as both sides continued to create chances in a game played out in difficult conditions.

It was the visitors who grabbed the all-important winning goal, though, and it was captain Ellis leading from the front again. The centre-back, who is just as comfortable playing centre forward, converted Clayton’s cross after his central defensive partner had won possession back deep inside the Matlock half.

The Celts remain in fourth place and now have a five-point cushion on the clubs outside the play-off places after only two games fell foul of the weather. The Gladiators are a lowly 18th in the table.