Farsley 0, Stevenage Borough 0

Farsley made light of their lowly placing in the Blue Square Premier tonight by gaining a valuable point at home to in-form Stevenage Borough.

It was the Celts' first goalless draw of the season but they deserved so much more from their encounter.

The point did not take them out of the relegation zone, while Peter Taylor's Boro - now unbeaten in eight league games - remained in second spot.

"I suppose we would have taken a point before the game but I thought we created the better chances," said Celts boss John Deacey.

"Overall I'm disappointed that we didn't win the game. The conditions were difficult with the blustery wind but it was the same for both teams.

"I think this performance shows the belief this squad has. It's just a pity that we are not out of the bottom four after a display like that against such good opposition."

Former England under-21 boss Taylor quipped after the live televised game that he would have switched channels if he had been sitting in his living room.

That was possibly unfair as he would have missed what was an ent-ertaining game despite there being few chances and no goals.

Referee Gary Sutton had to go off with a hamstring injury midway through the first half.

He swapped places with fourth official Mark Brown but Sutton's leg stiffened up during the remainder of the first half and he was unable to operate even on the touchline. The second half was delayed while a replacement was found.

The half-time interval lasted more than 20 minutes as an appeal went out for a qualified referee and Rob Harris, Sutton's trainer, stepped into the breach.

Farsley enjoyed a good start to the game. Striker Damian Reeves had the ball in the net when the visitors' defence had stopped for an offside flag but subsequent television replays showed that he was onside.

In the ninth minute, Reeves was put through by a cheeky flick from Roy Stamer but he could not capitalise and a great chance went begging.

Boro's Callum Willock pulled up just after the half-hour and Taylor sent Tes Bramble - brother of the better-known Titus - on and he caused problems for the home defence.

But it was still Farsley who fashioned the better openings, while the visitors relied on long-range efforts.

Celts forward Simeon Bambrook walked away with a bottle of champagne after being named man of the match.