LAST weekend’s postponement denied forward Dan Cockerline his Farsley debut, and it also prevented the Celts from bouncing back from consecutive defeats in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

Cockerline has been drafted in on a two-month loan from Vanarama National League North outfit Southport, after Adam Priestley’s departure.

The Gibraltar striker has left Throstle Nest and has dropped down a division to sign for Ossett Albion.

The Celts should have travelled to Stoubridge last weekend but the snow was even worse in the Midlands, and the game was called off early.

Farsley are looking forward to welcoming Stourbridge’s mid-table rivals Matlock Town on Saturday.

The back-to-back defeats for Adam Lakeland’s men has left them outside the play-off places in seventh, three points below the top five.

They have a five-point advantage over Matlock, but the visitors have enjoyed two successive victories.

They won 2-1 at Lancaster City last time out (on December 2) after a 2-0 home win over strugglers Halesowen the week before.

After being denied a debut, Cockerline, who Lakeland had as a young striker when he managed Northwich Victoria, said: “I want to come here and just enjoy my football.

“Obviously as a striker I've set myself goal targets to reach, but also to help the team push up the table and get in and among the leading pack in that promotion push.

“Things at Southport have not been the smoothest. I pictured in my head that it would go differently, but that's football. There have been many reasons why it probably hasn't gone accordingly, but I'm here now and my only thought is putting in performances for Farsley and showing what I can do.

“Adam being here was a big factor for coming to the club. Having worked with him at Northwich, he knows my game and knows what I'm about. I felt like I was my sharpest and most confident when I played under him, so when I heard Farsley were interested I was already really keen to come.

“I have enjoyed my start to life at the club and I've got a full week's training under my belt. It's good that it has fallen like that because I have got to know the lads a little and the way we go about our football. I just can't wait to get to get started.”

Brighouse Town’s task in their Division One North fixture could not be a tougher one as the strugglers host leaders South Shields.

The Mariners have faced Farsley three times this season and have the upper hand on the side from the higher tier.

The Shields knocked the Celts out of the Ebo-Stik League Cup after a penalty shoot-out and beat them in the Buildbase FA Trophy after extra- time in a replay.

They are also four points clear in their section with five games in hand on second-placed Prescot Cables.

Vill Powell’s Town are third from bottom, still in the relegation places but are one of three clubs on 17 points.

Town are still waiting to build on their 2-1 home win over Colne in their last run out a week last Saturday.