The Celts came through with a superb result at North Ferriby United last weekend, despite the unusual circumstances that forced them to take the field with a stand-in goalkeeper.

The two keepers Farsley had in their travelling party both succumbed to injury in the warm-up.

Scott McNiven, son of former Bantams striker David and more at home in the centre circle than hurling himself around the six-yard box, stepped in and kept a clean sheet.

As Farsley enter the final furlong of the run-in to their first season in the Blue Square Premier, manager Lee Sinnott feels it was a timely reminder that they are a semi-professional outfit in a predominantly full-time division.

Sinnott said: "It could have happened to any club at any time, of course it could. In fact, these things happen at every club - but not usually in the warm-up.

"Tom Morgan ended up with bad bruising and Mark Wilberforce suffered a fracture, so it could drag on.

"We also had Paul Cuss missing because of work commitments. That has been a bit of a problem over the close season but we fully appreciate his position.

"We are part-time and these boys give a lot of time over the season. They put a huge amount of effort in and if they need to keep their employers happy by putting in extra during the close season, then that's fine by me.

"If it helps them beg time off when we have league games it has to be good for the player, the club and myself as a manger."

Sinnott knows everyone at Farsley has a professional outlook but accepts the club are not yet in a position to contract all of the players on a wage that would cover what they earn in total.

"Pre-season is also complicated because the players have to arrange their holidays around their day jobs, not just around the close season," he said.

"Ryan Crossley has missed a few matches in the warm-up due to weddings. I think he is professional guest or he has seen that film The Wedding Crashers.

"Simeon Bambrook missed a game because he had a 13-hour delay at an airport waiting to return from his holiday and he has two young children, so that must have been a nightmare.

"You have to be sensible. The players give us everything they can and we let them live their lives. It's a trusted formula."