THE conclusion of a race for the title in the Northern Premier League’s second tier could be delayed while Northwich Victoria contest a decision to deduct nine points from their total.

The club confirmed in a statement on Sunday the sanction had been applied after they played goalkeeper Mason Springthorpe in four Division One North matches when he wasn’t properly registered.

Vics won three of them.

However they argue the punishment is harsh, and plan to ask independent experts trained to resolve sporting conflicts to give their verdict.

But that could take weeks, if not months.

“We have to pursue this further,” the statement reads.

“Unfortunately, that might have an adverse effect on the season’s completion.

“We promise our players, management team and supporters we will fight what we perceive to be an injustice.”

League officials adjusted the table on Sunday afternoon.

It puts Vics, who were 3-2 winners against leaders Warrington 24 hours earlier, a total of 19 points adrift of Yellows with three games in hand.

The club has admitted breaching the rules, as they did in October when they were found to have picked Springthorpe – then on loan from AFC Telford United – in two FA Cup ties when he was ineligible.

On that occasion, they avoided expulsion from the competition following an appeal.

After playing again a qualifier against Hyde United, they went on to reach the second round.

“The FA exercised discretion when dealing with the matter, and recognised the circumstances of this particular case were worthy of such,” added Vics’ statement.

“Those circumstances were that documents attached to the player’s registration had been accepted by the league, but the FA had no trace of them.”

The governing body confirmed it had received a letter from Telford granting permission for Springthorpe to play in the FA Cup, but no paperwork registering him to do so.

They only discovered it was missing when Vics secretary Dave Thomas contacted them to check if the custodian could play in an FA Trophy tie.

The league charged Northwich for the same offence in November, ordering that points collected from wins against Ossett Albion, Farsley and Droylsden should be deducted at a hearing the following month.

Vics’ appeal against that decision was heard on Wednesday, three months later.

“The league could have applied discretion [with its sanction] too,” adds their statement.

The FA has yet to comment, although the Guardian has requested they publish the reasons for its appeal committee’s verdict.

Springthorpe, 21, made the move from Telford a permanent one at the end of his loan spell.

Now the circumstances of his initial arrival are set to be studied by a tribunal at arbitration after Vics gave notice of their intention to invoke FA Rule K.

Specialists on the panel can only rule on whether league officials, and members of the FA’s appeal committee, have acted ‘irrationally’ or not followed their procedures.

Once a chairman is appointed the hearing, held in secret, must follow ‘within 119 days’.

“We think the FA appeal committee’s decision is an irrational one,” said Vics in their 660-word statement.