A late winner gave Farsley Celtic the victory they needed from their trip to Matlock Town to retain top spot in the Evo-Stik Premier Division.

The Celts went into the weekend at the summit on goals scored as they shared the same points total and goal difference as second-placed Warrington Town.

The 2-1 victory keeps them ahead of the Yellows, who won by the same score line away at third placed South Shields.

It was a bad start for Farsley as they found themselves a goal down in the 11th minute and it stemmed from a set-piece. The Celts pride themselves on their defending but Jonny Margetts, signed by the Gladiators on loan from National North Boston United, nodded in to give him three goals from three starts.

Just minutes after the midway point of the first half the visitors were level, thanks to their own set-piece specialist Will Hayhurst. He fired a fantastic free-kick past home keeper Ross Durrant.

Farsley created more chances late in the first half and several after the break. They had the ball in the net twice but both strikes, a header from Jimmy Spencer and shot from Dave Syers, were chalked off after an offside flag was raised.

They continued to press and three minutes from time their determination paid off when Jack Higgins stooped to head a Spencer cross past Durrant.

Farsley manager Adam Lakeland said: “We knew that it was going to be a difficult game, even more so than Tuesday.”

The Celts faced sixth placed Gainsborough Trinity away in midweek and romped to a 5-0 win. Matlock Town were ninth in the table, 11 points off the play-offs, but they are an improving side under recently appointed Dave Frecklington.

Lakeland added: “We knew Matlock would give us a big challenge because they have been playing well since Dave Frecklington came in, they wanted to back up their win at Hyde United with another three points and they made it difficult for us.”

There was no late drama to rescue BRIGHOUSE TOWN in Division One East as they slipped to a shock defeat away at Stocksbridge Park Steels.

It was second-bottom hosting second but the Steels claimed what could be a crucial three points thanks to a single goal. A minute before the hour mark a free-kick dropped in the Town area and Luke Mangham was the first to react and he lashed the ball in from close quarters.

Vill Powell’s Town stay in second place but they are now seven points behind leaders Morpeth Town. The Steels leapt from 19th to 16th so are out of the relegation zone.