FOREST Green chairman Dale Vince has lost his appeal against a three-point deduction after his side fielded the ineligible Luke Oliver in their opening day Vanarama Conference victory at Southport.

Rovers, who have also been fined £500, had hoped to have the fixture replayed, but that was declined by the FA appeal board.

The deduction leaves Ady Pennock’s side three points outside the play-offs zone.

A club spokesman said: "The FA ruled that FGR were right to appeal that decision, stating the club had not deliberately done anything wrong and that the Football Conference’s decision was flawed.

"However, despite this, the FA has decided that, based on its own criteria, no replay should take place."