DAVE Syers was to the fore for Farsley Celtic as they beat Whitby Town 3-1 at home to move up to second in the Evo-Stik League Premier Division.

The former Bantam and Guiseley midfielder put the Celts ahead on 31 minutes.

He had already gone close on a couple of occasions before firing a long-range strike into the bottom corner, which left keeper Adam McHugh rooted to the spot.

It remained 1-0 at the break but Whitby went close early in the second half when Callum Patton hit the post after Ashley Coffey's shot was saved by Kyle Trenerry.

But just three minutes later, Patton did equalise for the visitors as he drove a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

The Celts bounced back and regained the lead when Syers was influential again. His thunderous shot hit the bar before Jimmy Spencer tapped home the rebound.

And the points were in the bag for Farsley when substitute Jack Dyche was brought down in the box and Ben Atkinson sent McHugh the wrong way from the spot to make it 3-1.

The only downside for Celts was when Dyche himself had to be subbed due to injury and he left the field on a stretcher.

High-flying Brighouse also went second in Evo-Stik League East Division as they won 3-1 at home to Spalding United.

James Hurtley put Town ahead after 25 minutes when he smashed home from 20 yards following a half-cleared corner.

The hosts went further in front shortly after the break when a defensive error left Zeph Thomas in plenty of space and he made no mistake at the near post.

On 61 minutes, Brighouse made it 3-0 with a sublime individual goal from Aaron Thomas.

Spalding pulled one back with 15 minutes to go through Kieran Wells but it was only a consolation.

Silsden lost their local derby at home to Barnoldswick in the Hallmark Security League Premier Division.

Jack Coop got the winner after 80 minutes despite Town having a man sent off in the first half.

In Division One North, Steeton also lost their mid-table Roses derby at home to Nelson by a solitary goal.

Jake Lloyd chested down a free-kick from Allan Meredith and slammed home after 55 minutes.