BRIGHOUSE Town gave their survival hopes in Evo-Stik Division One North a huge boost yesterday with a 1-0 win at troubled Skelmersdale United.

It was a hard-earned victory which lifted Vill Powell’s men out of the bottom three and put them level on points with Skem and Atherton Collieries ahead of Boxing Day’s home derby against Ossett Town.

At this time of year it was fitting that they had Gabriel to thank for their win against a Skelmersdale side battling for their existence both on and off the field after being locked out of their ground by their landlords.

Ten minutes into the second half, Town striker Gabriel Johnson scored the game’s only goal when he headed home after a deep free-kick had been headed back across the six-yard box.

A home win over neighbours Ossett Town could see Powell’s men climb to 16th and close the gap on local rivals as 14th-placed Ossett are six points better off going into the game.

Farsley Celtic are champing at the bit to get back into action in the Premier Division after slipping down the pecking order in the promotion race.

The Celts have not played in the league since the first Saturday of this month and that ended in a 2-1 defeat at mid-table Hednesford Town.

Adam Lakeland’s men were fifth at the time but they find themselves eighth ahead of the Boxing Day game at struggling Whitby Town.

They are now four points outside the play-off places but the West Riding County Cup holders are into the quarter-finals of this season’s tournament after a 3-2 win at Campion a week last Wednesday.