Farsley Celtic 4, Redditch United 3

There seems to be no stopping Farsley Celtic at the moment as they earned another three Blue Square North points after visitors Redditch United had twice taken the lead.

The Celts would not lie down and edged out their rivals in a seven-goal thriller.

They may not have been at their best but where their skill levels dipped below the exacting standards of boss Neil Parsley, the energy levels certainly did not.

Parsley admitted: “We didn’t play as well as we have been doing but, in my opinion, it was the character, the camaraderie and the commitment of the squad that pulled us through after being behind twice.”

Farsley took the lead midway through the first half when Roy Stamer fired a stunning free-kick from distance into the top corner.

The visitors were level by the break, however, after Celts goalkeeper Piotr Skiba was beaten at his near post by Andy Ducros.

Minutes into the second half, Redditch edged in front for the first time when a free-kick was delivered into the area and Liam Francis tapped in from close range.

A frustrating period followed for the home side as they toiled to get back into the game.

With 18 minutes to go, Stamer moved into the area with a trademark jinking run, his path was blocked but he kept possession and his head until an opening presented itself and he lashed in the equaliser.

The late drama had only just begun. The visitors forced a corner and Francis was again in the danger zone and he converted with a header.

Stamer was credited with the assist for Farsley’s third goal as it was his shot that United keeper Danny Lewis could not hold and Lee Ellington netted the loose ball.

With just minutes remaining, Ellington turned provider as his through ball found Gareth Grant on the edge of the area and the former Bantams striker lashed the ball home from the edge of the area.

Parsley said: “That was our third win on the trot and it was very satisfying. It was nice to do the double over them because they beat us home and away last season.

“That means it is six points we have taken that escaped us last time around. The ten-point penalty has hurt us – as much as Redditch did from set-pieces in this game – but we have to continue to try and consolidate in this division.”