Monday's First Division North action review

Farsley AFC moved into the play-off places in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's First Division North table with a fine 2-1 win at the Tameside Stadium against Curzon Ashton - inflicting only the fourth reverse of the season to date on the champions, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.

As so often happens when a team has already achieved their season's goal, Curzon relaxed a little too much and allowed an impressive Farsley side to boost their own promotion hopes. It was the first time Farsley had beaten Curzon in seven attempts in the past three seasons and what a time to do it.

Curzon had secured the league title a week ago with a last-gasp win at Harrogate Railway and in the early stages they looked like a team with nothing to play for as Farsley dominated.

The visitors from across the Pennines took a deserved lead in the 28th minute when Danny Hull reacted quickest from a corner, firing the ball in through a sea of bodies from around 15 yards out. And they doubled their advantage five minutes later when the ball was fed through to Gibraltar international Adam Priestley to finish neatly.

Early in the second half Curzon`s Sam Walker could have got his side back into it but he dragged a good chance wide and then home `keeper Tom Morgan did well to parry former Farsley man Ryan Watson’s effort from the edge of the box. The hosts finally broke back into the game from the subsequent corner, as Matthew Warburton headed in.

But Neil Parsley`s side held on for a vital three points – made even more important when news of fellow play-off challengers Lancaster City`s defeat at lowly New Mills came through, meaning the Yorkshire side`s top five fate is largely in their own hands now.

The Millers, whose wins against Mosssley AFC and Salford City recently assured their safety after a poor run of sixteen games without a victory, went ahead after 24 minutes when Wes Bancroft curled a fine free-kick into the top corner.

The Dolly Blues equalised right on the stroke of half-time when a Lee Dodgson effort from the edge of the area flew into the bottom corner of the net. But City found themselves behind again after 57 minutes when James Hampson netted with a free header inside the six-yard box.

The visitors huffed and puffed but were unable to find a leveller and they are now a point behind the top five and face the champions on the final day of the season.