The 73rd-minute goal, launched from inside his own half, projected Town to their highest ever league position, though second-placed Southport have played two fewer games.

Manager Micky Mellon made one change to the starting side which beat Ilkeston 1-0 on Saturday as Gareth Seddon replaced top scorer Adam Warlow up front.

Seddon had scored on his Town debut in the league game at Farsley in September, helping his new side to a 2-0 win.

Farsley hardly started like a side which had not played since December 12 and they were lively from the off.

The visitors took advantage of the strong wind in their favour and pushed forward early.

David Syers rattled Danny Hurst's bar inside the first five minutes and left the Town keeper berating his defence.

If that was a let-off for Fleetwood, more testing moments were on their way. A Farsley throw deep inside the home half allowed Roy Stamer to shoot from distance but Hurst comfortably gathered.

Gareth Grant then found Ryan Serrant down the left and forced a corner as Farsley dominated the early exchanges.

Grant continued to test the home defence and supplied Liam Shepherd but his shot went well wide.

Michael Taylor and Steve McNulty in the heart of the home defence ensured the early pressure was contained, and both provided the steel needed to keep Farlsey at bay.

Ten minutes had elapsed before some good work between Jamie Mullan and Tom Cahill brought a Fleetwood opportunity. They won a corner but Clancy blasted over from a half-clearance.

Farsley's top scorer Lee Ellington smashed a free-kick into the defensive wall, and immediately afterwards Seddon and Sean Clancy combined but the midfielder hit his shot just wide.

Alan Wright's run then produced a corner from which Cahill glanced his header across the face of goal with 25 minutes gone.

The bracing wind had started to affect both teams' control, and Town were producing plenty of effort but no clear chances.

The Fleetwood wall did its job from another Stamer free-kick, then at the other end Mullan had a shot blocked from Milligan's fine cross.

Farsley keeper Piotr Skiba was then forced to scoop away a corner and then followed-up by denying Seddon from close-in.

It was goalless into the break and Stamer's strong left-foot effort flew wide of Hurst's left post to start the second-half proceedings.
Mellon then made a double switch up front, Cahill and Seddon being replaced by Nick Rogan and Warlow.

Rogan imposed himself on the game immediately and Warlow couldn't capitalise on Clancy's good run and pass.

Milligan inspired his men and his break from midfield produced an inch-perfect pass to Warlow, who beat the advancing keeper with a left-foot drive on 63 minutes.

Wright had undergone a fitness test before the game and was replaced by Stephen Torpey.

The substitute took over the left-wing berth from Clancy, who moved into Wright's left-back role.

Rogan was unfortunate not to see his name on the scoresheet when his 70th-minute left-footed drive went inches wide.

Then came the unforgettable moment. Skiba went walkabout outside his area to clear a loose ball and his failure to return to his line caught the eye of Milligan.

The captain sparked ecstatic reactions around Highbury when he fired home from a central position just inside his own half.

He headed straight for the Town bench, sliding on his back to take well-deserved congratulations. The skipper continued to lead by example over last 20 minutes as he sent Nathan Pond clear of the offside trap but Skiba was able clear.

A great save by Hurst, low to his left in the closing minutes, capped a second successive clean sheet and a competent performance in the Town goal.

Town may be top for the first time but the modest mood around Highbury afterwards indicated it was just another three points in a campaign in which 17 games remain.

Fleetwood continue their run of home games on Saturday against a Blyth Spartans side hammered 5-1 by Northwich Victoria last night.

Fleetwood team: Hurst, Beeley, Wright (Torpy), Taylor, McNulty, Pond, Clancy, Milligan (c), Cahill (Rogan), Seddon (Warlow), Mullan; subs not used: McGuire, Wilde