A SHOCK defeat last weekend hampered Farsley Celtic’s tilt for promotion from the Evo-Stik League Premier Division as they look to get back on track at Hednesford Town.

The Celts stayed in fifth place despite losing 1-0 to bottom club Sutton Coldfield Town at home but they have now played more games than any of the clubs in the top seven.

They are still only two points off third as they head to Keys Park. A win would begin to repair the damage but the Pitmen have a good home record, having lost just twice from 11 home starts.

Not surprisingly, Celts boss Adam Lakeland was unhappy with what he saw against Sutton Coldfield.

He said: “I’m extremely disappointed, not just with the result, but with the overall performance of us both individually and collectively.

"We have been playing very well of late, but we were way short of the standards we have been setting and in this league you get found out, even against the teams struggling near the bottom of the division.

“It’s frustrating and I am looking for a reaction from the players. While we have been on a good run and the lads are giving me their all, to go away to a difficult place like Stafford and win 2-0, go to Buxton and draw 3-3 then come home to bottom of the league and lose 1-0 simply isn’t good enough and I expect better than that.”

Brighouse Town host fellow strugglers Colne in Division One North. Town are third from bottom and have played two games more than fourth bottom Radcliffe Borough and Colne at this stage.

The Lancashire outfit drew with Boro, who are sandwiched between them and Town.

There were two departures from the Yorkshire Pay Stadium during the week, with forward Adam Lee and defender Ishmael Dawson both leaving Brighouse.