FOREST Green chairman Dale Vince has called for Football Conference rules to be “harmonised” with the rules of the Football League.

An independent arbitrator dismissed Forest Green’s appeal against the FA’s decision not to order a replay after FGR fielded an ineligible player in the opening match of the season against Southport.

FGR chairman Dale Vince said: “We’re disappointed in the ruling and we think it’s an error - it leaves the Conference rules on replays in a state of confusion.

“The FA clarified that there should be a replay if the non-offending club (Southport) would otherwise be at a sporting disadvantage – and we can’t see what circumstances would qualify if these ones don’t – since Southport gained no points from the game and an adverse goal difference … a replay would have reset the clock for them.

“We call on the FA to harmonise Football Conference rules with the rules of the Football League, it makes no sense to have different rules at this level of the game.

“Perhaps if the Conference had more ‘grown up’ rules like those in League football, a move to three up three down between the Conference and the League might be more palatable to League clubs.”