NOT for the first time this season, Witton Albion prevailed away to the league leaders.

A victory at Nantwich Town on New Year’s Day was impressive but Carl Macauley’s men went one better when they became the first side to prevent Farsley Celtic from scoring in front of their own supporters.

Rob Hopley was their match-winner, shrugging off the challenge of Adam Clayton before taking the ball around goalkeeper Kyle Trennery and rolling it into the net.

The second-half had only just started, and Albion had work to do.

Their task was made more difficult three minutes later when Matty Devine was sent off as punishment for pushing over Nathan Cartman when the forward attempted to head a loose ball that rebounded his way after Clayton’s header had struck the crossbar.

However substitute Ben Atkinson’s spot-kick was saved by Witton custodian Greg Hall, who dived to his right to divert the penalty around a post.

Farsley, frustrated by an Albion back-line on course for a 14th shut-out of the campaign, had only glimpses of goal thereafter.

Chris Atkinson fired over after Will Hayhurst’s free-kick had been blocked while Dave Syers, on target in the return when Farsley won at Wincham Park in December, headed wide from a corner.

He was thwarted with time running out too after shooting against a teammate.

Hall, fittingly, had the final say when he dived to keep out Danny Ellis’ header in the last minute.

There had been little to choose between the teams in the first-half, James Foley firing against the wall direct from a set-piece.

Ellis miscued a header inside his own penalty area but Hopley couldn’t capitalise.

At the other end, Witton’s defence held firm to block shots from Chris Atkinson and Syers.

They rise to 10th in the Northern Premier League top-flight's table as a reward.

Farsley | Trennery (GK), Lewis Turner (Ben Atkinson 29), Hayhurst, Higgins, Ellis, Clayton (Baldwin 90), Syers, Chris Atkinson, Spencer, Cartman, Parkin (Walker 62) Subs not used Bower, Bett

Witton | Hall (GK), Gardner, Devine, Wardle, Humphreys, Offord, Smart, Owens (McKenna 54), Hopley, Jones (Abadaki 72), Foley Subs not used Cesaire, Wynne Goal Hopley 48 Booked Smart, Jones (both fouls), McKenna (time-wasting) Sent off Devine (foul)

Referee Oliver Noonan

Attendance 343

Additional reporting by Phil Chadwick