Jimmy Spencer’s double in vain as Farsley Celtic lose at Cup kings Chorley

The Farsley forward opened the scoring on 12 minutes after he converted a right-wing cross from Jordan Richards.

But the lead was shortlived with the hosts levelling on the quarter-hour mark courtesy of an Andy Owens header.

Spencer then grabbed his ninth goal of the season on the stroke of half-time, keeping his composure to finish after Paddy Lane’s excellent pass had sent him clear through on the home goal.

Chorley restored parity for a second time, however, after 76 minutes when Harvey Smith headed in an Elliot Newby corner.

The latter also provided the cross that saw Connor Hall – a marksman in last weekend’s 2-0 Cup conquest of Derby – poach the winning goal from close in on 86 minutes.

“I’m incredibly disappointed,” said Celic boss Adam Lakeland. “To throw away 1-0 and 2-1 leads is incredibly frustrating. I wasn’t overly impressed with how we played all game to be honest.

“I thought we were really wasteful in the first half and then we started quite brightly in the second half.

“It felt like we were in control and could potentially go on and get another goal but we started going long and ultimately through not being able to retain the ball they were able to put pressure on us.

“To concede two goals from corners is really disappointing.”

Farsley are back in action next Saturday when they make the trip to mid-table Hereford.

Guiseley left the north east with nothing after conceding a winning goal in added time at Gateshead in a 1-0 loss.

There were moments to go when a cross found Macaulay Langstaff who was free at the back post and could not miss, winning the game for the hosts.

The game kicked off two hours later than normal due to the weather, a decision was made on the Friday that a 5pm kick-off would give the pitch the best chance to thaw, and it worked.

Somehow the visitors didn’t take the lead with just under 10 minutes on the clock, Hamza Bencherif headed his effort onto the bar, Bailey Thompson on his debut saw his shot blocked, then Prince Ekpolo was somehow denied by Gateshead keeper James Montgomery with the rebound almost going in. Gateshead looked set to take the lead in the second half when Greg Olley crossed to Lirak Hasani. He had a clear shot on goal but Lions debutant Reece Kendall arrived just in time and got his body in the way blocking the effort wide of goal.

With time running out both sides had one final chance – Kaine Felix could only fire wide after controlling a pass in the area for Guiseley, while Gateshead took their chance and the win as well.

Speaking after the defeat, Guiseley joint-manager Marcus Bignot said: “Obviously it is frustrating to lose the way we did.

“We had chances but they are a good side and showed that’s what you need to do to win games.”

Guiseley are back in action on Saturday when they face Alfreton Town for their first game at Nethermoor in 2021.