FARSLEY remain just outside the play-off places in the Evo-Stik First Division North after a narrow 3-2 defeat at leaders Salford City in a pulsating clash.

Following a tricky journey along the M62 over the snow-covered Pennine peaks, Farsley began the game brightly and had already created a good opening before James Riley broke the deadlock in the fifth minute.

Riley put Farsley in front a minute after Spencer Harris was off target with the visitors’ first chance. The home side’s Adam Morning hit the woodwork and Danny Webber fired wide before Sam Madeley nodded in the equaliser just after the half-hour mark.

Parity lasted less than four minutes as centre back Riley popped up to put Farsley back into the lead nine minutes before half-time.

Salford came out with all guns blazing after the break and were back in front within ten minutes.

Madeley levelled with a diving header before Ashley Dunn slammed in what proved to be the winner.

Despite there being no further goals the match remained finely balanced, with chances at both ends.

Farsley boss Neil Parsley said: “I thought we were good enough to have got something out of the game. We were the better side in the first half, while Salford were the better in the second.

“We gave a good account of ourselves and there were more positives than negatives to take out of it.”

In the same division, BRIGHOUSE TOWN banked a deserved and much-needed 3-1 victory at relegation-threatened Radcliffe Borough.

Boro conceded an unfortunate early goal when centre back Danny Lafferty turned Ryan Hall’s cross past his own keeper.

There was no hint of fortune as Town doubled their lead in the 16th minute, with Danny Hull meeting another Hall cross with a powerful header.

Sam Cook pegged a goal back for the home side in first-half stoppage time and Brighouse failed from the spot in the second half. Substitue Tom Matthews was fouled in the penalty area, resulting in a red card for Boro’s Alec Mudimu, but keeper Chris Cheetham saved Matthews’ effort.

Hall restored Town’s two goal advantage in the last minute.

Town chairman Ray McLaughlin said: “It was a difficult game in very difficult conditions but we defended very well and if we hadn’t we wouldn’t have won because Radcliffe are a decent side.”