Farsley Celtic slipped to a narrow defeat on the road as league leaders Tamworth increased the gap on second-placed Scunthorpe to 12 points.

A scruffy second half goal following one of the home side’s long throws was enough to bludgeon the battling Celts, as both teams finished with ten men  in a game of few clear-cut chances.

Farsley more than held their own in the first half.

A long Donaldson throw was met by Allan in the box, but his shot was off target.

Shortly afterwards Allan then crossed to the back stick but Coulson, under pressure, couldn’t  direct his header on target.

A foul by Jack Evans on Tshikuna on the edge of the D set him up with a free kick in a dangerous position, but he lifted it just over the cross bar.

Milnes was then denied what looked like the opening goal by a super stop from Farsley keeper  Leban after he was put through one on one.

The visitors went in 0-0 at half time and looked reasonably comfortable against a team unbeaten in 11 games going into the fixture.

The second half saw Tamworth enjoying more of the possession, but the away side had the first real chance, Noah Wadsworth hitting a half volley which the Tamworth keeper saved relatively easily.

Cullinane-Liburd headed just wide for Tamworth, before being sent off moments later for a second yellow card following a tussle with Assenso.

Coulson turned and span on a deep cross into the area on 56 minutes but fired his half volley over the Tamworth bar in what proved to be Farsley’s best chance of the game.

On 65 minutes Tamworth took the lead from Tonks’ long throw, which bounced in the area and Leban was unable to prevent it from going past him and into the back of the net.

Leban then denied Tamworth on a couple of occasions and although the Celts huffed and puffed, they couldn’t create anything clear cut.

In stoppage time Misambo was shown a straight red for a late challenge on sub Arlott-John, injuring himself in the process and having to be helped off the pitch.

Next week the Celts entertain in-form Chester at The Citadel.

Line up

Farsley Celtic: Leban, Assenso (Leverett 69), Wadsworth, Evans, Misambo, Allan, Carroll (B Atkinson 64), C Atkinson, Donaldson, Coulson, Branson (Youmbi 83)
Unused Subs: Smith, Silva