Atkinson red proves costly...

FARSLEY Celtic climbed to the top of the Evo-Stik Premier Division table after sharing the points with Grantham Town.

Jimmy Spencer’s seventh minute goal put the Celts on course but after a second half red card to Farsley’s Ben Atkinson, Charlie Ward managed to net an 84th minute leveller for the Gingerbreads.

On his return after missing the last three games through suspension, Spencer got Farsley off to the perfect start.

Charlie Ward sent an under-hit back-pass to goalkeeper Jordan Wright and the former Mansfield Town front man nipped in to put Celtic ahead.

Farsley had further chances to extend their lead before the break, with Dave Syers firstly forcing a good save from Nathan Cartman’s cross before Syers then picked out Ben Atkinson, who fired just wide before the break.

Syers then had another good chance early in the second half, but his low shot clipped the bottom of the post before Spencer headed the following cross just wide.

The game’s turning point came on 75 minutes when Atkinson reacted to Tom Ward’s poor challenge and was sent off by referee David Jones. Ward was cautioned for the dangerous foul.