The stakes couldn't be higher ahead of the Celtic's trip across the Pennines to Moss Lane to face Alty, who claimed some valuable relegation breathing space by virtue of their weekend derby win over Drolysden.

* Click here for Farsley Celtic match reports.

* Click here for Farsley Celtic match action picture slideshows.

Farsley are currently fourth-from-bottom and are five points adrift of safety behind the team immediately above them – Alty – and Deacey's troops dare not contemplate defeat tonight and seeing the hosts extend their buffer over them to eight points.

Deacey has set his side a survival target of 45 points with 18 games to go with the mathematical equation meaning that Celtic need to muster another 24 points – or eight wins – to save their Conference necks.

* Click here for Farsley Celtic Clockwatch.

Greater Manchester outfit Alty boosted their hopes of staving off the drop with a vital 2-0 success at Droylsden on Saturday, while Celtic extended their run without a league victory to six games following a 3-1 home reverse to leaders Aldershot at Throstle Nest.

Memory match - Farsley Celtic v Tranmere Rovers 1974: Click here to enjoy a picture slideshow from the game.

Mark Jackson and Stephen Downes should recover from knocks sustained against the Shots and play tonight.

Farsley Celtic boss backs keeper for swift return: Click here for latest onTom Morgan's recovery from injury.

But Deacey will have to make do without suspended duo Scott McNiven and James Knowles and he readily admits he could have done without that dual blow.

On what promises to be a potentially pivotal night, Deacey – whose side's last league win was back on Boxing Day – said: "It's certainly the biggest game of the season. Maybe it won't dictate things as they'll be 17 games left, but it's still absolutely massive, a six-pointer.

"Altrincham will be thinking they can put some daylight between us and themselves and their confidence will be boosted by the win over Droylsden."

"While we need to start getting some points on the board and a run going sooner rather than later.

"We've got to be totally focused when we go there. But we've got some big players and we'll cope with the situation."

He added: "We've put in good performances lately, but need to turn them into points. We've got a game plan to go there and stop them and make sure we come away with something."

Deacey – hoping to bring in a centre-back on loan prior to tonight's encounter – added: "Jackson and Downes will be ok. But the suspension problems I could have done without, to be honest. But I do feel we've got a big enough squad to cope."