They say a week is a long time in politics but it can also have a massive effect in football, too, as Deacey has found to his cost.

Farsley looked to have a huge advantage in the battle to avoid the drop from the Blue Square Premier when they followed up a home win over Weymouth with a magnificent 1-0 victory at Torquay United on April 5.

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But by last Saturday it had all gone horrendously wrong. Craig Bentham went back to Bradford City following his loan spell and Dominic Krief, Amjad Iqbal and Mark Jackson were all struck down by injuries.

Back-to-back defeats against Droylsden and Oxford were thrown into the mix, with James Knowles harshly sent off in the latter.

And just when he thought things couldn't get any worse, relegated Stafford recalled striker David McNiven from his loan spell yesterday to leave Deacey reeling.

"It's an absolute nightmare – I can't believe what is happening to us," said the Celtic boss, who is struggling to get a side out for tonight's trip to Ebbsfleet United.

"It's gone from having a fantastic result at Torquay to losing virtually half the side, but we have to fight on, we really do have to battle now. Everyone is going to have to fight, and I mean the whole club – the board, the management, the physio, the players and the fans.

"We are all going to have to be in it together because we have to battle our way out of this.

"Everything seems to be against us at the minute but we all have to muck in together. When things conspire against you leaders tend to come to the fore. And that's what we need now because we have four games left to save our Conference lives."

Deacey is definitely without Jackson, who was stretchered off with an ankle injury in the 2-1 home defeat to Droylsden a week ago. It is not believed to be broken, as first feared, but the swelling still hasn't gone down.

Fellow centre-half Iqbal needs a few more days to shake off a hamstring injury, while Krief is struggling to play on with a thigh strain.

But the boss is hoping to persuade Stafford, who have said they want to look at the player with a view to next season, to let them keep McNiven.

And Celtic have appealed Knowles' red card which was dished out when he conceded a contentious penalty in Oxford's 5-1 win at the weekend. If the appeal, due to be heard this afternoon, is unsuccessful Knowles will miss the next two games.

Deacey said: "All I am doing is trying to find loopholes in all sorts of things so we can get a side out.

"It was a controversial decision – I don't think it was a penalty, let alone a sending-off. The kid got the wrong side of James to be fair but Knowlsey got back really well and got the tackle in. I've got everything crossed for the appeal, but the way our luck's going at the moment I don't hold much hope."

The appeal hearing means Deacey will be planning to the last minute for the trip to Ebbsfleet, who have nothing to play for in terms of the league but have reached the FA Trophy final.

In contrast, Celtic are desperate for points with Saturday's defeat leaving them just one clear of Weymouth and Northwich who occupy the final two relegation places.

After tonight, Farsley have home games against Forest Green and Grays Athletic, with a trip to York in-between.

Deacey said: "Ebbsfleet are a good side, and they are in the FA Trophy final so they have to be respected. I went to watch them against Halifax and they looked very solid.

"They all stand up to be counted and that's what we have to do now."