PENALTIES THRILLER NOW NULL AND VOID

MELTON Town have been ordered to replay their FA Vase win over Ingles – after their penalty shoot out victory was ruled offside by the FA.

The United Counties League Division One outfit beat East Midlands Counties visitors 6-5 on penalties in a shoot-out at the end of their first qualifying round last Saturday.

Before the game, both sides requested a replay, rather than penalties, if the game ended in a draw after extra-time.

But after the game finished 2-2, the match referee decided that it should instead go to penalties. Both teams raised objections there and then but ended up shaking hands on the matter.

The FA ruled two days later that precedence should have been given to the original requests of both teams, under a new rule introduced this season.

The replay will take place at the Dovecote Stadium, home of Shepshed Dynamo, where Ingles are tenants, on Wednesday with the winners travelling to Rugby Town.

Melton joint manager Jon Stevenson said: “We are angry and disappointed.”

■ GERALD Reilly has quit as manager of Hellenic Division Two East outfit Long Crendon after four years in charge.

Reilly led the club from the lower reaches of the Aylesbury League to a third-place finish in their first season at Step 7.

He will be replaced by his assistant from last season, former Chinnor manager Ryan Davis, who said: “It’s a really exciting opportunity for me.”