Tadcaster Albion 1 Farsley Celtic 1 (Farsley win 4-2 on pens)

THERE was plenty of good news for FARSLEY CELTIC last night as they landed the first part of a league and cup double by lifting the West Riding County FA Cup.

The other huge gain for the Celts came as Division One title rivals Lancaster City lost their game in hand 2-0 at lowly Prescot Cables in the Evo-Stik League. That result leaves Farsley a point clear at the top with just three games remaining.

The Celts won the county's most prestigious non-League trophy on penalties after the final against Tadcaster Albion, who had drawn home advantage, ended all square at 1-1 after 90 minutes.

Substitute Paul Walker fired in the decisive spot-kick after Richard Marshall had missed from the spot in the shoot-out despite netting a penalty during the game.

Marshall was fouled in the area following a corner as Farsley were awarded a 24th-minute penalty. He stepped up to edge the Celts into the lead against their Division One counterparts.

The Brewers hit back just after the half-hour mark through Carl Stewart as he collected a through-ball from Conor Sellars and gave Celts keeper Graeme McKibbon no chance with a superb finish.

There were numerous chances at both ends in the second half of what was an open and even contest but there were no goals added, despite Farsley turning up the pressure as the clock ticked down.

McKibbon made a key save in the shoot-out as he denied Josh Grant. That was the fourth of the Brewers' five penalties, giving Farsley an unassailable 4-2 lead. Lewis Nightingale, Ryan Watson and skipper Aaron Hardy all netted before Walker fired in the decider.

Elsewhere, THACKLEY came from a goal down to beat Wayne Benn's Hemsworth MW 3-1 in the Premier Division of the Toolstation Northern Counties East League.

The Dennyboys suffered an early setback as Richard Collier gave the visitors a fourth-minute lead. But former Bradford Park Avenue club captain Benn, who began his career with Bradford City, had a painful watch in the second half as the home side turned the game with three goals in an 11-minute spell.

Mike Garrod equalised, Ryan Farrell edged the Dennyboys in front and Garrod then wrapped up the scoring as his side remained fifth in the table.

SILSDEN suffered a slender defeat at title-chasing Widnes in the Hallmark Security League but the Cobbydalers stay in the top half of the Division One table despite the 1-0 loss.

The match-winning goal was scored midway through the second half by Kevin Towey, who was one of four Widnes players to score in the reverse fixture back in January.

Widnes moved up a place to second, above deposed leaders City of Liverpool, and are now just one point off top spot behind new pace-setters Charnock Richard, who also won on the night.

Charnock Richard enjoyed an 8-0 home win against Holker Old Boys, who host Silsden on Saturday.