Farsley 1, Prescot Cables 1

Farsley lost their grip on the last play-off place in Evo-Stik Division One North as they were held to a draw at Throstle Nest by struggling Prescot Cables.

The visitors caught the home side cold and took an early lead. There were just five minutes on the clock when Ryan Gratton chipped over Farsley keeper Ben Higginson.

Home striker Dave Stead and defender Matt Dempsey were both denied by saves from Cables’ keeper Martin Campbell before the break.

Stead’s shot was parried for a corner and, from the flag-kick, Dempsey’s powerful header was also dealt with by Campbell.

Stead suffered a pulled hamstring on the stroke of half-time and he was replaced by Gareth Grant, who has been easing his way back from a similar injury.

Grant came close to having an instant impact when he was through on goal but, having been pushed wide by Campbell, could only find the side-netting.

He did, however, score the equaliser. Just after the hour mark, Grant raced onto Adam Priestley’s through ball before firing a shot past the visitors’ keeper.

Farsley went in search of a winner but Campbell was not beaten again.