FARSLEY CELTIC conceded their first goal in the FA Cup this season and it was enough to see them dumped out of the competition by a very good and well-organised Bishop Auckland in the third qualifying round.

Both Farsley and their visitors had rattled the goals in as they marched through the earlier rounds but, after keeping clean sheets in three ties, a breakaway strike by Auckland’s Priestly Griffiths nine minutes before the interval proved the Celts’ downfall.

Joint Farsley manager Neil Parsley said: “It was a very tough game – in many ways a really typical FA Cup tie – and we tried to create chances but they defended very well.

“Their keeper made three or four very important saves, and I don’t just mean spectacular ones. There was one in the first half that prevented us from taking the lead when he sat on the ball as James Walshaw got in a shot by the near post.

“I thought we did well in possession, especially in the second half, but it was one of those tight games when chances were at a premium. We lost by one goal – one that came after we’d had a great chance at the other end – but that’s cup football for you.

“John and I could have asked no more from our players because they gave absolutely everything.”

The game’s only goal came after Walshaw had just beaten visiting keeper Ed Wilozynski to a through ball and flicked it towards goal. It was drifting just wide and a covering defender gathered it and launched a counter-attack that culminated in Auckland midfielder Griffiths firing past keeper Graeme McKibbin.

Farsley’s Evo-Stik Division One North rivals BRIGHOUSE TOWN are still top of the table even though they were held to a 1-1 draw at home by lowly Mossley.

Paul Quinn’s men took a grip on the game with an early opener as Ruben Jerome opened the scoring in the sixth minute following a good move involving Luke Parkin and Leon Osborne.

The Lancashire side hit back late in the first half with Kyle McGonigle netting the equaliser eight minutes before the break.