Farsley Celtic were unfortunate to be on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat at Buxton, after a battling performance in Derbyshire on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts were a goal to the good at the break after Ben Sault capitalized on a defensive mix-up to score, but a much improved Farsley levelled the scores 14 minutes from time through Ben Atkinson.

The Celts twice hit the woodwork in the second half which eventually proved costly, as Josh Popoola’s header seven minutes from the final whistle secured the points for full-time side Buxton.

After a closely-contested opening 20 minutes which saw both defences on top, Farsley carved out the first dangerous chance of the match. A free kick had been cleared to the edge of the area where Danny Greenfield was waiting, but his shot flew just wide of the upright.

On 22 minutes, a defensive lapse between Tom Allan and Lewis Turner saw Buxton captain Connor Kirby pick up the ball and find Sault, who slotted into an empty goal to put them ahead.

Celts’ on-loan keeper Tom Wooster was called into action twice on the 36^th minute as an excellent double-save saw him deny Sault and then Ethan Fitzhugh, before a third crucial save against Popoola three minutes later.

Farsley resumed the second half on the front foot and were unfortunate not to draw level after a quick-fire double set of chances. Firstly, a free kick was drifted into the box and Tom Allan’s snapshot on the turn was claimed by the goalkeeper and then shortly after, Danny Greenfield showed great footwork to find Ben Atkinson, but his shot was deflected over for a corner.

And the visitors came even closer on 68 minutes as the ball was crossed in from the right but Allan’s header crashed against the crossbar.

The pressure finally paid off on 76 minutes though as a corner was flicked on to Atkinson who saw his header clip the base of the post before creeping over the line, for his second goal in as many games.

Farsley were in no doubt the more dangerous side at this stage and came agonizingly close to taking the lead on 81 minutes as a trademark Ryan Watson strike from almost 30 yards smashed against the crossbar.

The double-woodwork strike made Buxton’s second and eventual winner all the more painful for the Farsley faithful. A stretched Celts defence saw Popoola get enough space to head home from Elliott’s cross, with the assistant referee adjudging the ball to have crossed the line before it was claimed by Wooster.

The Celts had a late, late chance deep into stoppage time to grab back a point as Connor Branson swung in an overhead kick from the bi-line right back into the danger-zone but Buxton goalkeeper Grant was able to scramble the ball clear from the goalmouth as the Bucks took all three points.

Farsley Celtic: Wooster, Walker (Branson 17), Misambo, Allan, Turner, Greenfield, B Atkinson, Fielding (Sloane 65), Watson, Mampala (Youmbi 62), Donaldson (Stephenson 85).
Sub not used: Leverett.