Farsley Celtic broke a run of three straight defeats to earn a 1-0 away victory at Stalybridge Celtic that may prove critical as they attempt to preserve their Blue Square North status.

Having taken the hit of a ten-point penalty, the Celts have battled well but appeared to have hit a wall with three losses.

But they went some way to easing any lingering relegation worries with last night’s victory against one of the clubs around them.

It was a game of few chances and the home side were the better of the two in the goalless first half. Stalybridge’s leading scorer Joe O’Neil was at the sharp end of the half-chances they created.

The visitors came more into the game after the interval. Matty Young went close with a shot the home keeper tipped over but he got the all-important goal in the 55th minute after rounding his marker.

Guiseley moved into the play-off places in the UniBond Premier Division with a 3-1 home win over Whitby Town.

The Lions took the lead in the fourth minute when James Cotterill headed home a Steve Burton corner.

They also scored four minutes into the second half. Jamie Walshaw’s cross was tucked in at the back post by Adam Muller.

Whitby hit back before the hour after Cotterill conceded a penalty, former Park Avenue striker Andy Campbell netting.

But the Lions had the last word as their Sierra Leone international and former Huddersfield Town man Malvin Kamara scored in stoppage time.

In the Kool Sport NCEL Premier Division, Liversedge also netted in time added on to give them a 3-2 win at Parkgate. Jamie Wasley and Jermaine Springer had scored before Ben Hardy’s late winner. James Mitchell and Mark Caine were on target for the home side.

Eccleshill United’s recent revival suffered a setback as they lost 3-1 at home to Askern Villa. Andy Fieldhouse notched the home side’s consolation after an own goal by United’s Ian Black and a brace from Mark Vicarage had put the visitors into a three-goal lead.