The only bright spot on a day that was definitely not a Good Friday for the local semi-pro sides was Liversedge's second- half performance at Pickering Town which earned them a point.

Farsley Celtic's quest for automatic promotion and Guiseley's hopes of a play-off place in the UniBond Premier Division were both dealt huge blows.

The two clubs were left beaten ahead of Monday's big derby clash.

The Celts lost 1-0 at home to mid-table Witton Albion, while their title-chasing rivals all earned three points. A 51st- minute back-post header from Lee Spike was all that separated the teams at Throstle Nest.

"It was a close game but we didn't do enough to win it or even draw it," said Celts boss Lee Sinnott.

"It was a hugely important fixture but the players didn't rise to the occasion. One thing that is certain though, if you go into a game without the right attitude you are susceptible to a result like this.

"On away form we are championship contenders, on home form we are relegation material. I had a long chat with the players after the game and they are aware of what is expected."

Guiseley were also beaten by the odd goal but they deserved something from their 2-1 defeat at Whitby Town. Lee Connor had scored for Guiseley in the last minute of the first half.

Town won with a goal from Anthony Ormerod and a last-minute set-piece, converted by Danny Farthing, to maintain their own push for automatic promotion.

"We are still in with a chance of the playoffs. There was very little difference between us and Whitby, who are up there challenging," said Guiseley manager Neil Parsley.

Sedge came back from a two-goal first-half deficit to earn a 2-2 draw at high-flying Pickering with a double from midfielder Craig Farrand.

Strikes from Alex Mathie and Michael McNaughton saw the home side cruising at the break. But Farrand was brought down 25 yards out and recovered to fire in the direct free-kick, and 20 minutes from time he finished well after a swift passing move.

"We overheard their manager telling his players at half-time that the game was over," said Sedge manager Eugene Lacy. "Without admitting it to my lads I thought he was right. They played us off the park in the first 45 minutes.

"After the break it was a totally different story, one-sided in our favour.

"If I had been offered a point at half-time I would have snatched it but now I'm disappointed that we didn't win it."