FARSLEY Celtic dropped to second place in the Evo-Stik League premier division following a 1-0 home defeat to 10-man Witton Albion.

The Celts were constantly knocking at the door in the second half but they failed to break the stubborn Albion down. Matty Devine took the early bath for his part in a penalty that Farsley failed to convert five minutes after the break on a day of drama at Throstle Nest.

Witton had the first chance as a rare misjudgement by Celts skipper Danny Ellis allowed Rob Hopley a free header, but he placed it wide. Farsley’s Chris Atkinson and Dave Syers both had shots blocked in the same attack at the other end minutes later.

Midway through that first half Celts wing back Lewis Turner went to ground as he attempted to play the ball up field. The medics treated him but a stretcher was called for and he was carried off visibly in pain. His twin brother Nathan is already out for the season with a knee ligament injury.

Hopley netted the game’s only goal two minutes into the second half, muscling his way past Adam Clayton before rounding Celts keeper Kyle Trenerry.

But the home side had a golden opportunity to level eight minutes later as a header from Clayton came back off the bar and Nathan Cartman was impeded as he went for the header. The referee allowed play to continue but, as the follow-up shot was blocked, the advantage was lost so he pointed to the spot.

Witton’s Devine was red-carded for fouling Cartman but keeper Greg Hall comfortably saved Farsley sub Ben Atkinson’s spot kick. Despite constant pressure from then on, the home side failed to penetrate Albion’s stoic back line.

There was a better outcome for Brighouse Town in the east division as they bounced back from a defeat to consolidate second place with a 1-0 home win over Frickley Athletic.

Tom Robinson fired in the winning goal midway through the second half after a good cross in had taken a deflection. It was a narrow win from a closely-contested Yorkshire derby for Vill Powell’s men.

It was also an important victory as all of the clubs in the top five - the play-off places - won their games. Town had lost 1-0 at relegation threatened Stocksbridge Park Steels the previous Saturday.