FARSLEY Celtic are top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division – but not in a way they wanted after a costly red card saw them held to a home draw by mid-table Grantham Town.

The Celts and Warrington Town have been side by side as they chased down previous leaders Nantwich Town.

But on a day of drama in the division the point that the Celts got means they are now joint leaders with South Shields and on top on alphabetical order.

While the Gingerbreads came back to snatch a draw with a late goal against the ten men of Farsley, their rivals faltered, Warrington lost 1-0 at Scarborough Athletic with former Celt James Walshaw netting the winner.

Nantwich had no fixture and were just one point clear so it was unlikely that they would retain top spot. However, they do retain a share of it as they are also on 53 points, the same as Farsley and Shields

The drama at Throstle Nest began in the seventh minute when Jimmy Spencer – back in the side after serving a suspension – tucked a low shot past Grantham keeper Jordan Wright.

There were several first half chances for the Celts and Dave Syers struck a post with a shot in the first minute of the second period.

There was also a strong penalty shout from the home side after Paul Walker appeared to have been fouled from behind.

Farsley could not find that second goal and when Ben Atkinson was dismissed in the 73rd minute the game was on a knife edge. Atkinson was fouled by the visitors’ Tom Ward but he reacted badly and was shown a straight red card, Ward was shown a yellow card for his part in the ugly incident.

Grantham had few chances but when they got a free-kick with just over five minutes remaining Oliver Luto took it and the visitors’ skipper Charlie Ward headed past home keeper Kyle Trenerry.

There was some late pressure from Farsley and a flurry of corners but no winning goal.

Brighouse Town consolidated second place in Division One East with a comfortable 3-0 home win over struggling AFC Mansfield.

Vill Powell’s men broke the deadlock early as Aaron Martin fired in a low shot from the edge of the area after a neat through ball from Adam Jones.

Mansfield keeper Jason White was beaten again midway through the half by a good finish from Tom Haigh. The ball broke to the midfielder and he volleyed into the corner.

Midway through the second period Tyler Williams, who Powell recently signed from Stocksbridge Park Steels, made his Town debut, coming off the bench to replace Zeph Thomas.

Jones wrapped up the scoring eight minutes later. A corner was cleared only as far as James Hurtley and although his shot was parried by White the rebound was swept in by Jones.