Poppies beaten at Farsley and Diamonds thrashed on a troubling night

The Poppies have now conceded 17 goals in their last four away games in all competitions and this latest defeat saw them drop back into the relegation zone ahead of another crucial home clash with Blyth Spartans on Saturday with the pressure beginning to increase on manager Lee Glover.

Bobby Johnson fired Farsley into the lead with a fine volley after 33 minutes after home goalkeeper Owen Mason had earlier saved well from Gary Stohrer.

Mason saved from Keaton Ward after the break but the hosts doubled their lead when Tom Allan blasted home from close-range.

The Poppies did hit the crossbar and Ward then saw another effort cleared off the line but there was no way back.

It was also another bad night for AFC Rushden & Diamonds after they were thrashed 5-1 at Leiston in the Southern League Premier Central.

The kick-off was delayed until 8pm due to Diamonds arriving late and they found themselves 2-0 down inside the first 18 minutes through Will Davies and Finlay Barnes.

Diamonds pulled a goal back after the break thanks to new signing Andy Mandjoba.

But high-flying Leiston pulled away in the final quarter of the game with Ben Fowkes scoring the third before Davies struck twice more to complete a hat-trick.

The defeat, coupled with Hednesford Town’s 2-2 draw with Barwell, saw Diamonds drop to the foot of the table ahead of Saturday’s home clash with Bromsgrove Sporting.