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Jackson's involvement as Celtic kicked off their inaugural campaign in the Blue Square Premier was curtailed by a couple of niggling injuries and then a suspension.

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But he returned to the side as a first-half substitute for the 2-1 defeat at Kidderminster Harriers in January and had played every game since going into this weekend, a run of 12 matches in which the Celts conceded just 11 goals.

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Jackson said: "I have managed to get back in since Christmas and keep my place in the side and it's been pleasing.

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"I knew at the start of the season I was carrying a couple of little injuries and I wasn't as fit as I would have liked to have been and I was always playing catch-up.

"But now I have had a decent run and hopefully I can stay in, stay fit and help keep Farsley in the Conference."

Former Leeds United and Scunthorpe player Jackson, who is now 30, started his run in the Celtic side at right-back before switching to central-defence after Georges Santos picked up a one-match ban for his dismissal in the 1-0 home defeat to Rushden & Diamonds at the start of this month.

He helped the Celts to a stunning 2-1 home victory over promotion-chasing Cambridge United last weekend and then to a goalless draw at Weymouth on Tuesday night, when he lined up alongside the returning Santos, with Amjad Iqbal unable to travel due to work commitments.

With Steve Downes returning to the side for those last two matches, it's clear competition for places is high all along the Celts back line.

But Jackson, who combines playing with coaching duties at Throstle Nest, believes that can only be good for the team in the ongoing survival fight – and he insists he is happy wherever he plays.

"Obviously, Georges came in from Alfreton and Ammers was doing well so they formed a partnership at centre-half," he said.

"But Downsey then got injured and I came in at right-back which I have played before at Rochdale so there were no problems there.

"At the end of the day I'm just happy to be back in the team and part of a defence which is doing well and has been since Christmas."

Jackson believes it is that rediscovered solidarity at the back which has laid the foundations for Celtic's revival over the last couple of months – along with the arrival of several new faces.

They include veteran striker Steve Torpey, who has been lining up alongside last season's leading scorer Damien Reeves, while David McNiven has been knocking on the door after making the switch from Stafford Rangers.

The club, who kept their heads above the relegation zone at the start of the season, dropped into the bottom four soon after Lee Sinnott left Celtic to take up the managerial reins at Port Vale in November.

New boss John Deacey has steered the team to sixth-bottom – and Farsley were looking favourites to escape the mire.

With bottom club Droylsden, Stafford and Northwhich Victoria – who Celtic visit next weekend – all but doomed, Farsley look to be in a three-way fight with Altrincham and Weymouth to avoid the fourth and final relegation slot.

"If we can keep playing like we are playing we have a great chance of staying up," said Jackson.

"We have played really well since Christmas. I believe you have to build on a good defence and that's exactly what we have done.

"We have players who can create chances and players who can score them in Reevesy, Torps and Macca, so if we can keep things tight at the back we're always hopeful of getting a result.

"We are not getting carried away because there is still a long way to go. It's important we keep our feet on the ground.

"But we have got a big squad now, everyone is fighting for places which keeps everyone on their toes, and if we can keep everybody fit I am sure we will be alright."