Farsley Celtic’s National League North struggles continued, as they succumbed to a 5-1 defeat on the road at Gloucester City.

When Frank Mulhern fired the Celts into an early lead, there would have been optimism that Farsley could replicate their last away outing, a 2-0 victory at Kidderminster.

But that wasn’t to be, as Gloucester turned the game on its head, four second-half goals leaving Farsley licking their wounds.

Farsley certainly started the game brightly despite the five-hour trip to the South-West, and found the opener within five minutes.

Owen Mason’s long ball down the right found its way through to Frank Mulhern, who superbly fired across goal and into the bottom corner.

However, the Celts, who are yet to win a game in which they concede this season, would not be ahead for long.

15 minutes in they failed to clear a Tigers’ corner, the ball falling to Dom McHale on the edge of the box who curled the ball home via a slight deflection off Jimmy Spencer.

The remainder of the first half was one of few chances, but the hosts would strike just minutes after the break.

Tommy O’Sullivan’s strike from the edge of the box was parried by Owen Mason, but Matt McClure was the quickest to react and tap home from close range.

The big moment would come midway through the period, with Brandon Hall in the Gloucester goal coming to his side’s rescue.

Dave Syers delivered an inch-perfect cross for Chris Atkinson, whose header seemed destined for the bottom corner before Hall sprung across the goal to make a super stop.

And the Celts would be left to rue that missed opportunity when Dom Mchale struck for a second time on debut, bending home from 25-yards out.

Further efforts from Kieran Phillips and Tre Mitford ensured it was a miserable outing for the Celts.

Farsley Celtic: Mason, Butroid, Scales, Johnson, Assenso, Allan, Ubaezuonu (Parkin 58), Atkinson, Spencer, Mulhern, Pointon (Syers 64).

Unused subs: Dearnley (GK), Osadebe, Dube.