TWO games played against Farsley this season, two defeats, eight goals conceded and none scored - it would be an understatement to say Celtic have run hoops around Boro this season.

However, this latest result might have been so much different if Boro had been awarded a fifth minute penalty when Farsley's former Oldham defender Carl Serrant blatantly handled the ball in the area.

Despite some furious Boro protests, and some very red Farsley faces, the referee insisted it was 'ball to hand' and signalled that there had been no intention involved.

The game was very much stop-start in the first half due to the fussy nature of the official, who even let game carry on for a couple of minutes with a flat ball, but Celtic went close when Mark Bett fired over after a pass over the top had fooled Lee Duffy.

Boro skipper Simon Kelly was carrying a knock after an early robust challenge and he made an uncharacteristic slip on 15 minutes when he was dispossessed by Bett, but the striker failed to take advantage and the danger was cleared.

Boro held their own in a game that was being played out predominantly in the midfield areas and they went close through Andy Heald's low drive, that whistled just past the post.

Andy Johnston then made a stunning save from Kevin Sanasay when he tipped the on-loan forward's header over the bar after a teasing cross from Roy Stamer had created the opening.

True to form, the referee gave a goal kick!

Heald then failed to take advantage of a glorious crossfield Lee Duffy pass when he became over elaborate on the left of the penalty area and his low drive was deflected wide for a corner - which was cleared from danger.

Johnston made another flying save from Amjad Iqbal with half-time approaching to ensure Boro went in on level terms, confident they could step up their victory bid in the second period.

And, it was Boro who were quickest out of the blocks in the second period when a Phil Salt free-kick nearly caused some damage to Farsley when it was flicked on and zoomed in on goal, only for home keeper Paul Cuss to come out clutching the ball.

Steve Foster just beaten to the ball by Cuss after a wonderful pass down the left by Heald, before Farsley scored against the run of play.

The Boro defence were caught napping as the ball bounced around the area and Stamer stabbed home ato put his side into the lead.

Boro were visibly shaken and channelled their frustration into some more nice attacking play with Heald again releasing Foster, whose shot from the edge of the area under pressure was well held by Cuss at full stretch.

Martyn Forrest failed to connect with a Duffy cross before the home side doubled their lead with another breakaway goal.

New signing Damien Reeves was the hero as he reacted quickest to another ball played into the box to open his Farsley goal account after a switch from Wakefield and Emley.

Boro boss Kevin Glendon sent on Gary Sampson to try and salvage something from the game but the home side closed rank and restricted Boro to long-range efforts.

Stephen Hill's 30-yarder was saved by Cuss and Tony Whealing's rising effort whistled just past the post, but Boro were now leaving gaps at the back and Sanasay blazed over after being presented with an open goal.

Boro applied some late pressure but were caught on the break in the last minute of normal time when Simon Bambrook finished after cutting in from the left of the penalty area to find the bottom corner.

After the game, Glendon fumed: "The referee was a disgrace and I feel he contributed to our downfall as the course of the game could, and should, have changed in the first half.

"Having said that, despite having the better of the first half completely we again failed to convert chances.

"We were very sloppy with the first two goals conceded but you are always on a knife edge if you don't take your opportunities."

He added: "The referee was diabolical and this is the first time in 15 years of management I going to write a report on an official. Hopefully, he will not referee us again."

BORO: Johnston, Duffy, Salt (Sampson), Kelly (Whealing), McGuire, Hill, Wilson, Forrest, O'Neill, Foster, Heald (Pauls).

FARSLEY CELTIC 3 RADCLIFFE BORO 0