Carlisle City have been docked three points and fined £100 for fielding an ineligible player against Crook Town on February 11.
The annoying thing from City’s point of view is that the player concerned hadn’t just joined them – he has played for the club since he was nine.
It appears to have been an oversight because Thomas Hickey had played over 20 games this season for City’s Development side in the County League.
Manager Jim Nichols said: “It’s a blow for us because we have lost six points in effect as we beat Crook Town and now the game has to be replayed on April 8.
“Those six points have dropped us to 14th in the League just above a clutch of clubs who are fighting to stay out of the relegation zone.
“We need to pick up points as quickly as possible because we don’t want it to be a scramble at the end of the season.”
News of the points deduction and fine wasn’t helped by the fact that City gave away a half-time lead to lose 2-1 at home to Redcar Athletic yesterday.
Jordan Palmer gave City the lead after 39 minutes but Redcar came back to win it in the second half.
Craig Hutchinson levelled on 51 minutes and Brandon Holdsworth won it with the second after 64 minutes.
Nichols said: “They were a big, powerful side who had a lad who could throw the ball a long way. Anywhere out of play in our half he could put it into our box.
“We had our two centre backs missing and played two central midfielders in there which left us short on height so we struggled the whole game.
“It was a long throw that produced the equaliser and disappointingly they scored a second not long afterwards.
“The one plus for us was the return of Callum Birdsall up front. He’s been out for about seven weeks and we’ve missed him.
“I’m hoping, too, that one of our centre-backs Dan Kirkup should be back next Saturday when we play West Auckland.”
