Spencer fires Farsley Celtic to victory at leaders Gloucester City

Celtic started brightly and could have gone in front after just five minutes when the ball fell to Paddy Lane in the box, but goalkeeper Louie Moulden made an excellent stop to push the ball wide.

On the half-hour mark, Gloucester edged in front against the run of play. Liam Daly headed a corner back across goal for Tahvon Campbell who was in position to flick home from close range.

But Farsley hit back immediately with Tom Allan rising highest to guide home Will Hayhurst’s delivery into the top corner to make it 1-1.

The Celts started the second half strongly and Jimmy Spencer had a great chance close in, but curled his effort just wide.

Keeper Moulden continued to frustrate Farsley but he was finally beaten for a second time with 15 minutes left.

His poor goal kick went straight to Lane who found Spencer and he raced through on goal, kept his cool and slotted home the winning goal.

Dan King had a chance to equalise for the hosts late on but Dave Syers threw himself in front of the shot and managed to block it.

Celtic boss Adam Lakeland was delighted with the performance and his side’s upturn in form.

He said: “I feel like it’s been coming, I know after the Chester game I said I feel like we’re improving, and I feel like we’re not far away from turning some of those games into wins.

“They [Gloucester] are a good side, but I felt we were the better team all game, and I think 2-1 makes the game look closer than it was. I felt we carved out some good opportunities, and really we should have won it by a greater margin. But take nothing away from the players, I thought they were superb all game.”

Farsley are next in action on Wednesday night at Southport.

Elsewhere, 10-man Guiseley slipped to their fourth defeat of the season going down 2-0 at AFC Telford United.

After an even start, the hosts nearly took the lead as a corner found Jason Oswell unmarked and he saw his header go just wide of the goal.

Guiseley meanwhile saw Hamza Bencherif fire a free-kick from inside his own half but Telford keeper Russ Griffiths was aware of the situation and was able to react.

Right at the start of the second half, Kaine Felix crossed to Nathan Newall but his shot went over the Telford goal. Moments later, Zak Lilly netted for the hosts from close range to make it 1-0.

The task at hand was made even harder when Prince Ekpolo was sent off with a challenge on Jack Bryne being deemed excessive enough to warrant a straight red.

Shortly after Telford doubled their lead. Lee Vaughan produced a strong run into the area and was brought down, leading to a penalty. Jordan Davies stepped up and calmly converted from the spot.

Speaking after the game, Lions joint manager Marcus Bignot said: “We came off at half-time and it was a good game, two teams trying to put their style of play on it. In the second half, we are just on the wrong side of fine lines, we’ve missed a good chance, switch off and concede. This is a young team, who are learning on the job, we went toe to toe with them, the first goal was important.”

Guiseley will be looking to get back to winning ways when they travel to play Spennymoor Town on Tuesday night.

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