Defensive frailties continue to blight Farsley’s season and it will remain a concern even though they are expected to win when they head to lowly Cammell Laird on Saturday.

Farsley have picked up just one point from their last four Evo-Stik Division One North fixtures - a run which has seen them tumble to tenth in the league.

Their Ellesmere Port hosts have won just once in 16 league outings and have a minus-30 goal difference.

Even so Farsley boss Neil Parsley said: “We need to strengthen our defence and I tried three times to sign a specialist right back last week but was frustrated.

"One chose to play at a higher standard, one went somewhere else for more money and the other one stayed with his own club.

“I have been making more calls this week and I’m hopeful we could have someone signed in time to be involved at Cammell Laird.

"The three players we tried to sign remain targets, so I’m not saying it couldn’t still be one of them but I am saying we have other options.”

Farsley may be mid-table at present but they came agonisingly close to upsetting leaders Skelmersdale United last Saturday, an own goal costing them at least a share of the spoils in a 2-1 home defeat.

Farsley have scored 38 times in their 15 games so far and only Skelmersdale have scored more in the league this campaign.