After seeing his second-placed Stevenage side held to a goalless draw at cold and windy Throstle Nest, Taylor praised John Deacey's men and striker Damien Reeves in particular.

Although Celtic remain in the bottom four, Taylor said: "Farsley are fighting for their lives and made it very difficult for us.

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"They looked well organised defensively and Reeves up front was a handful. He looked a good player and the timing of his runs was dangerous.

"I definitely think they have a good chance of surviving in this league if they keep working as hard as they did against us. A point was all we deserved and I want to give Farsley credit for that. They closed us down exceptionally well in the first half and I was delighted to be 0-0 at half-time.

"I was hoping we would play much better in the second half but unfortunately we didn't. We couldn't get the ball down confidently to create a chance."

Deacey, who said before the game that he fancied Stevenage to win the league, was delighted with his team's display. "The Setanta cameras maybe did us a favour because the boys needed no motivating," he said. "We looked solid at the back and in midfield and competed well up front.

"We have proved we can be competitive in this league on a few occasions and we have to build on that. The squad is large now and there is competition for shirts throughout the team."

Deacey was pleased with his two debutants – experienced defender Georges Santos and young midfielder Scott Gardner who is on loan from Leeds United.

However, the manager rated James Knowles slightly ahead of Simeon Bambrook who was the TV show's man of the match. Knowles gave an energetic and skilful performance in Celtic's central midfield before limping off with a slight knee injury with nine minutes left.

Reeves snatched at one of the game's best chances, volleying wide in the ninth minute when he had more time, and he fired just wide of the far post when released by Knowles' long pass in the 58th minute.

Knowles also had an inventive overhead shot well saved, but scoring opportunities were few at both ends as defences maintained a high concentration level.

Referee Gary Sutton had to be replaced by the fourth official after suffering a pulled muscle after only 21 minutes and Stevenage were unfortunate to lose striker Calum Willock with a hamstring injury 15 minutes later.

Deacey still hopes to sign Accrington Stanley's David Brown and Mark Roberts, who are seeking compensation from their club for the time remaining on their contracts.

FARSLEY CELTIC: Aspden, Jackson, Santos, Iqbal, McNiven, Gardner, Knowles (Krief 81), Bentham, Stamer, Bambrook, Reeves. Subs not used: Watson, Grant, Whitman, Torpey.

STEVENAGE BOROUGH: Julian, Fuller, Westwood, Arber, Murray, Wilson, Vincenti, J Lewis (O'Sullivan 66), Laird (McMahon 81), Morison, Willock (Bramble 36). Subs not used: Masters, Henry.

REFEREE: G Sutton (M Brown 21).

ATTENDANCE: 501.