There was another surprise development in the ongoing saga of Farsley Celtic’s efforts to secure their future tonight when their Blue Square North fixture at Telford was called off.

The postponement was made by the Conference League early in the afternoon following Farsley’s failure to exit administration.

The club, in its 101st year, is not extinct just yet but they are closer to the brink than at any time over the last catastrophic nine months.

Administrators Mazars held a meeting with representatives of the consortium bidding to buy the club on Monday. They were locked in talks from 4pm to 8pm but a settlement was not reached.

That led to more talks being scheduled for today but, as no agreement had been reached, the administrators informed the Conference League that Farsley were unable to fulfil tonight’s fixture.

It is understood that there is only one serious bid for the club and that is by a consortium headed by Farsley president John Palmer.

In Monday’s meeting they were encouraged to increase their bid to a sum that the administrators deemed acceptable.

With the consortium unable to procure further funds, a higher offer from them was not forthcoming.

There are expected to be more discussions involving the consortium, the administrators and the creditors committee before any decision is made regarding this Saturday’s home game against Workington.

A source close to the club said: “We are not dead in the water just yet but we are in limbo.

“It doesn’t look good for the club at the moment but it never has since we entered administration and we have made it this far, so never say die.”