FARSLEY Celtic's hopes of survival in the Blue Square Premier were boosted further after picking up a valuable point away at play-off hopefuls Salisbury City.

However, manager John Deacey knows his side should have returned from their trip to Wiltshire having secured all three.

A late own goal by skipper Amjad Iqbal cancelled out Damien Reeves' effort that had put Celtic in front at the start of the second half.

"We deserved the three points no doubt about it," said Deacey, after his side had secured their second draw on their travels south in five days .

"We created plenty of chances against a side that's done very well this year."

We came here looking for three points and we've done well today. But we've been undone at the end trying to play football in difficult areas of the park. "

City custodian Ryan Clarke's man of the match performance denied Celtic on a number of occasions.

After a scrappy first half at a rain-drenched Raymond McEnhill Stadium, Farsley took hold of the game almost immediately after the interval.

Stephen Downes burst down the right wing causing City defender Matt Robinson all kinds of problems before firing in a low cross which Reeves poked beyond Clarke at the near post.

Celtic pushed for a second goal but found the home custodian in fine form.

On the hour-mark, Scott McNiven fired the ball into a five-man wall from a free kick just outside the box, then Craig Bentham linked well with Reeves on 76 minutes, but the keeper was down quickly to save.

Rory Prendergast surged forward moments later, but his fierce shot whistled just over the bar.

Salisbury made a double substitution in a bid to get back into the game and were certainly livelier with Luton Town loanee Rob Sinclair and leading marksman Matt Tubbs on the field.

Sinclair's 87th minute cross for Darrell Clarke handed them a lifeline - the ball deflecting off Iqbal's head for the equaliser.

Now it was Farsley's turn to defend as the hosts forced three corners in a row after Wayne Turk's rasping shot was turned behind.

Still Farsley attacked and only another fine save by Clarke denied Prendergast.

But the home side finally showed why they have climbed to the play-off fringes in recent weeks and Curtis Aspden had to be alert to twice thwart Andy Sandell in stoppage time as the hosts pressed for what would have been an undeserved winner.

City manager Nick Holmes accepted his side had been fortunate to gain a point.

"We were second best for most of the afternoon," said the former Southampton FA Cup winner.

"Farsley deserved to win and if they play like that for the rest of the season they'll be fine.

Celtic team: 4-4-2 Aspden McNiven, Santos, Iqbal, Jackson Prendergast, Krief, Bentham, Downes, Torpey, Reeves.

Subs not used: Backhouse, Knowles, Stamer, Heath, McNiven City: 4-4-2 R.Clarke, Bass (Sinclair 64), Cook, Asafu-Adjaye, Robinson Bartlett, Turk, Clarke, Sandell, Feeney, Barnes (Tubbs 64) Subs not used bittner, bond, brown.

Ref: Andrew Halliday ( London) Celtic motmathc: Prendergast Att: 1,081

12:08pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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