Farsley Celtic came from behind to defeat National League side Halifax Town at the Citadel on Saturday in an entertaining pre-season encounter which saw the Celt Army come out 2-1 winners.

The match started at a frenetic pace with both sides playing tidy and urgent football and the visitors almost took the lead after 15 minutes, when new Farsley signing Andy Butler was forced into a crucial block.

Halifax would then have the opportunity to break the deadlock on the half-hour mark, as Mani Dieseruvew was brought down in the box. And they would do just that through Matthew Warburton who buried the spot kick into the bottom corner to put the away side in the driving seat.

However, Farsley responded well and just seven minutes later, had an opportunity to score from the spot themselves after Jimmy Spencer was felled in the box before he could connect with Jacob Gratton’s cross.

Frank Mulhern was the coolest person at the Citadel and calmly converted the penalty to bring Russ Wilcox’s side level.

The second half would prove to be more of the same with both sides creating plenty of chances and none more were clear cut than one crafted by Gratton.

The winger found space in the box before driving a shot at goal, forcing Sam Johnson in the Shaymen’s goal into a smart save.

Halifax then began to take control of the match and went close twice within minutes, with Farsley’s trialist ‘keeper making two excellent, diving saves to keep the score at 1-1.

The higher-ranked visitors would be left to rue those squandered opportunities when substitute Mwiya Malumo pounced on a loose ball and calmly finished past Johnson to hand his side an impressive victory.