Celtic are winning a five-way battle to avoid the final two relegation places – Droylsden and Stafford are all-but condemned – following a superb 1-0 victory at second-placed Torquay on Saturday.

Farsley are five points clear of third-bottom Halifax Town and three ahead of a Weymouth side who occupy the final relegation berth. They also have a two-point advantage over both Altrincham and Northwich Victoria.

Another three points against rock-bottom Droylsden at Throstle Nest tonight would put Celtic within clear sight of safety, though Deacey won't be under-estimating a side who were promoted alongside them from Blue Square North last season after running away with the title.

Deacey said: "Droylsden are not going to come here and lay down and die. They are going to want to put in a performance and they won't want to get beat by an old rival.

"They won Blue Square North by miles last season. I just think this is
a hard league and they haven't had the rub of the green this year.

"Sometimes it falls like that. I have seen them a few times this year and they have performed well. Maybe they just haven't got what they have deserved so it is going to be a tough game.

"But it is one we are capable of winning. We just have to go into it with the right attitude. After the good work on Saturday, we have to make sure we continue it for the next six matches and play ourselves to safety."

It was an own goal that gave the Celts three priceless points at the weekend, David McNiven's shot hitting the post before rebounding into the goal off the Gulls' keeper, but it was no more than Farsley deserved after a superb team performance.

Deacey also had a special word for the fans who made the long trip to Devon, and he urged supporters to turn out in force this evening.

"I still think there will be a few twists and turns," he said. "And I really hope we can get some support behind us against Droylsden.
"The supporters down at Torquay were absolutely brilliant.

"I watched the DVD of the game on Sunday night and all you could hear were Farsley fans. There were only about 70 but they were excellent. They made a lot of noise and got behind the team which was superb."

Farsley will have to check on Amjad Iqbal tonight after he was forced to leave the pitch late in the second half on Saturday after taking a knock.

They will definitely be without midfielder Craig Bentham, who has returned to Bradford City following his loan spell, though Deacey is hoping he will soon have him back.

Bentham is out of contract at the end of the season and the Farsley manager has highlighted him as one of his top summer targets.

Deacey said: "He has been absolutely fantastic for us. He even finished on a high – he was man-of-the-match on Saturday – but that's the type of kid he is.

"I really do hope I can work with him again next year, I will do
everything I can to try and get him back to Farsley next season."