FARSLEY Celtic manager Adam Lakeland wanted a reaction from his players following a rare defeat in the Evo-Stik Premier Division last week and he got it as his side won 3-1 at promotion rivals Scarborough Athletic.

The Celts had gone down 1-0 to a stoppage time goal at South Shields the previous Saturday and that had cost them a share of the leadership.

Just a week later they were away at Steve Kittrick’s fifth-placed Scarborough and up against a number of former players.

Lakeland’s men were up to the challenge but in an ironic twist it cost them another place in the table as they dropped to third after all of the top four won.

Shields remain three points clear and Warrington Town moved above Farsley on goal difference after a 3-0 win. Nantwich have a worse goal difference than the Celts but they remain on the same points total.

Farsley had the best possible start at the Flamingo Land Stadium as Jimmy Spencer gave them a fourth-minute lead. The striker slotted in from close range after Nathan Cartman had rolled a through ball into the area.

Having started the half well they finished it in the same positive way as Spencer bagged his brace just before the break.

A good move involving Chris Atkinson, Cartman and Luke Parkin culminated in the latter crossing to the far post and Spencer added an acrobatic finish.

The Seadogs had a good spell early in the second half and had the ball in the net following a 52nd-minute corner only to have their celebrations muted by an offside flag.

Soon after that Boro’s James Walshaw, the former Farsley marksman, went close with an angled drive that whizzed past the far post.

But the Celts ensured the win with a third goal and Spencer was the provider as his ball through the six-yard box was turned in by Dave Syers.

The Seadogs’ skipper Michael Coulson pulled a goal back with a good finish 18 minutes from time.

Brighouse Town consolidated second place in Division One East with a 1-0 home win over Marske United courtesy of an Aaron Martin goal.

The first half was goalless but Brighouse struck 10 minutes into the second half. It was a classic counter attack as Gabriel Johnson did well before laying the ball off to Tom Robinson, who in turn found Martin with a slide rule through ball and the striker tucked a shot under Marske keeper Luke Mewitt.

The other promotion hopefuls all won so Vill Powell’s men remain six points behind leaders Morpeth Town but five pints clear of the other sides in the play-off places.