FARSLEY Celtic earned their place in tomorrow's FA Trophy first round draw with an excellent 2-0 win at Alfreton Town - a side from the step above on the football pyramid.

The Celts were definitely second-favourites as they headed to the Impact Arena to take on Billy Heath’s Alfreton, but the former FC Halifax Town boss was left scratching his head as the Celts eased past his side.

There was an early blow for the visitors as centre-back Jack Higgins suffered a facial injury in the sixth minute but the big defender returned after treatment and a minute later he met a free kick to get the Celt’s first attempt on goal. His header looped into the arms of Reds’ keeper Sam Ramsbottom.

The home side soon had an attempt of their own and Farsley stopper Kyle Trenerry was less than convincing as a drive from James Clifton slipped through his grasp for an Alfreton corner.

It was a rare handling error by Trenerry and he soon put it behind him. However, it was Ramsbottom who was the busier of the two keepers as the Celts forced free kick after free kick.

When Farsley opened the scoring it was from open play though, as a good cross was well held up and laid off to Nathan Cartman who fired past Ramsbottom. The Celts could have added to their lead before Alfreton striker Reece Styche had a sight of goal, Trenerry doing well to palm that shot from distance round his post.

Adam Lakeland’s men finally doubled their lead a minute before the break when a throw in found Jimmy Spencer who controlled it and pivoted before lashing an acrobatic effort past Ramsbottom.

The home side were looking for a foothold early in the second half but Trenerry saved a long range effort from Callum Chettle and, soon after, Tom Allen headed over after the Reds had forced a corner.

It was the visitors who created more chances however, but Ramsbottom was in fine form and when he was beaten again, by a Spencer shot, a covering defender cleared off the line.

Farsley still looked to add to their lead and, to compound the Reds’ bad day, they ended with 10 men after skipper David Shiels picked up a second yellow card in stoppage time.