Farsley Celtic 1, Leigh RMI 1

Farsley were surprisingly held to a draw by struggling Leigh and it was a very damaging result as it dropped the play-off hopefuls down to tenth spot in the Conference North.

The home side were expected to get back on track with a straightforward victory over their struggling visitors. It did not pan out that way and Farsley were relieved to snatch an injury-time equaliser.

It was a dull game that looked as though it was limping towards a goalless draw before it took a late twist as second-bottom Leigh, who obviously had not read the script, broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute.

The cross may have been speculative but there was nothing wrong with the finish. That was added by Chris Simm and the ball fairly rocketed into the net.

Farsley manager Lee Sinnott had already used his three get out of jail' cards by throwing winger Andy Watson and strikers Gareth Grant and Damian Reeves on from the bench in an eight-minute spell just after the hour.

While Grant had a chance with his first touch, it seemed that the gamble was going to backfire.

Defender Ryan Crossley hit a post and striker Ryan Sugden put an effort just wide. They had been on from the start but the late changes did make a difference.

Deep into injury time, Grant controlled a long ball through the middle, played it through to Reeves and he netted the equaliser. It was almost the last kick of the game as the referee blew immediately after the restart.

Sinnott said: "We made more clear-cut chances against leaders Droylsden last week than we did against a side battling to avoid relegation. What a game football is.

"I have been in it all my working life and it still amazes me; we only scraped a draw in injury time. It was scrappy at best. Leigh deserved their draw but will have been disappointed not to have taken all three.

"I had the longest chat so far with my players after the game, 35 to 40 minutes. There were no raised voices, no tantrums, I just laid it on the line. We have to come out fighting as there is no time to wallow in self pity, this is now a test of character.

"The players have to find their self-belief after taking one point from the last possible nine. As a manager, I and my coaching staff can help to lift them but when they cross the white line they have to dig in real soon if they are not to let a long, hard season go to waste."

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