FARSLEY Celtic are battling against all odds to reach the play-offs in the Evo-Stik Division One North after their charge up the table was stalled by a run of three defeats.

One of the key figures in the great run which propelled them from the relegation zone to the top half of the table was defender Paddy Miller.

He feels that the unity in the squad and their respect for and trust in the management team was the key to their successful run.

Miller said: "The boys are all behind the gaffer and each other and it's like anything really – that run was the result of some very hard work.

"First and foremost Neil (Parsley), Lee (Connor) and Minty (Gary Stokes) kept impressing that clean sheets win games.

"They were all in the defensive unit as players, Minty was a keeper and everyone knows how angry they get when they have been exposed or have conceded from a set-piece.

"We kept clean sheets and the wins just kept coming, we had a settled side and that helped too. We all felt for the lads on the bench because they just weren't getting in but they showed a really professional attitude.

"Every training session was packed and the spirits were high, Leon Osborne wasn't getting a start but he travelled up from Doncaster for every session. He got the odd 15 or 20 minutes here and there in the games.

"But that's what it's like at this club, its fantastic. Everybody wants to fight for their place but everybody wants to fight for each other as well. All of the others have been in that position and they've all done the same.

"The gaffer's really fair and wherever I've played for Neil he's always said that if someone in the team is playing well then it's his shirt. It's up to the rest to take their opportunity to get their shirt when it comes up."