Farsley Celtic are '˜doing it tough' admits boss Lakeland

But on the flip side, he readily acknowledges that Farsley are also one of the league’s toughest sides to beat.

“We’re having a bit of a bad run at the moment in terms of actually winning games,” he said. “But in our last 10 matches, over 90 minutes, we have lost only one and, although we aren’t converting the draws into wins at this time, we are a difficult team to beat.

“We have tremendous character and we will start turning these draws into wins again very soon I’m sure.

“We have to get ready to resume our league campaign at Throstle Nest tomorrow against a very good Workington side, before we head to local rivals Brighouse Town on Monday night in the County Cup.”

Lakeland was proud of his troops after they bowed out of the FA Trophy on Tuesday – 4-3 at South Shields after extra-time. Ryan Watson netted in the 90th minute to send the game into extra-time but Celtic soon found themselves 3-1 down before goals from Danny Ellis and Luke Parkin brought the game level again. But Farsley conceded a sloppy late goal which won the game for the hosts.

Lakeland added: “To lose in that way after trailing for 88 minutes and to come back in extra-time from 3-1 down is gutting, but I cannot describe how proud I am to manage these players and they deserved more.”

Despite their dip in form the Celts have remained a side that do not go down easily, with their latest league match seeing James Walshaw’s strike late on to rescue a 3-3 draw against fellow-promotion hopefuls Ashton United keeping sixth-placed Farsley firmly in the Evo-Stik Premier promotion hunt.

Lakeland’s side now have the perfect opportunity to distance themselves from the rest of the play-off chasing pack, hoping for a first win since early October. Opponents, Workington, have momentum going into the contest, with five wins from seven league games charging them up to just two points outside the top five.

Lakeland’s men, however, are confident and seem to have displayed enough character to suggest that they can return to winning ways quickly. The play-offs also continue to beckon in Evo-Stik North for Ossett Town, who are aiming to extend their unbeaten league record on the road at mid-table Clitheroe tomorrow.

Bamber Bridge, meanwhile have an unbeaten record of their own, with home ground Irongate a real fortress in the league this season.

Their unbeaten home record and position at the summit will once again need protecting tomorrow, as they welcome a Tadcaster Albion side still to pick up a win since September.

The league outings also don’t get any easier for Brighouse Town, looking for a first win in five matches when they host Trafford.

Frickley Athletic, meanwhile, travel to a Leek Town side who are the latest visitors to be knocking on the door of the congested Evo-Stik South promotion mix, with a win seemingly vital for Athletic to aid their play-off push.

After last week’s home defeat against leaders Salford City, National League North side Bradford Park Avenue will try to end their shaky recent form in their 1pm home encounter with promotion-chasing Blyth Spartans.

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NCE League Premier division leaders Pickering Town face a serious test of their title credentials when they host an AFC Mansfield side tomorrow who are just three points behind them with a superior goals difference.

Waiting to pounce on any slip up will be free-scoring Pontefract Colleries, who lie just one point behind Pickering and will be full of confidence ahead of their visit to struggling Harrogate Railway.

Garforth Town also travel to fellow mid-tablers Bottesford looking to resurrect their previous good form after three league outings without a win.

Another second-half surge could also be expected from Hemsworth Miners Welfare, looking for a third successive victory when they host West Yorkshire rivals Liversedge.

The recent turn in form for Eccleshill United will take a true test of steel when they welcome unbeaten Division One leaders Knaresborough Town. Second-placed Yorkshire Amateur, meanwhile, welcome Rossington Main and will be hoping for Eccleshill, as well as Selby Town to slip up, as Town play host to mid-table side East Yorkshire Carnegie.

Nostell Miners Welfare are also aiming to put more than their current goal difference between them and the relegation zone, when they welcome Winterton Rangers while mid-tablers AFC Emley and Glasshoughton Welfare host Brigg Town and FC Bolsover respectively.