Lincoln City's battle to avoid the drop took a positive twist as relegation rivals Hereford were docked three points. The Bulls fielded an ineligible player in a 3-1 win at Torquay back on February 1st and the penalty now means they have slipped two places in the table and below the Imps.
Rob Purdie returned for another spell at Hereford and made his re-debut as Hereford beat Torquay 3-1 at Plainmoor, however, both sides fielded ineligible players that night and two months later, both have been hit by points penalties. Torquay have been deducted 1 point whereas Hereford have been docked the 3 points that they won on the night.
The penalty takes Hereford down to 43 points and just five points above the drop zone, this coming less than 24 hours after moving eight points clear thanks to a draw with promotion chasing Wycombe. The penalty is a positive result for the Imps as it means that City have not only moved up a place in the table, but it now means that there's a closer target than us for Barnet.
Torquay remain in the Playoffs on goal difference.
Thing is ..... they have no grounds for appeal. They won a game whilst fielding an ineligable player, end of story, there's no ifs or buts, they won with a player who shouldn't have been playing.
They are going to appeal on the basis they both did the same thing and got a different punishment.
On BBC site an interview with their chairman saying this.
Torquay's player who shouldn't of played scored!
Problem is that in a situation like this where it happens in the same games it's going to be impossible to satisfy everyone with the deductions.
You could give Torquay a three point punishment but they'll be unhappy as they lost the game so would effectively have lost six points.....whereas if you only give Hereford a one point deduction then they've illegally gained two points.
Thing is, the have their Rose tinted specs on thinking that they should both be hit with the same punishment, if not they should receive a lesser punishment than Torquay.
I disagree and think that the deductions are fair.
Hereford haven't a leg to stand on. They won the game with Purdie playing some part in that. Therefore they sought to seek advantage, therefore the 3 points deduction is fair in all respects.
Both teams knew the rules. Herefords chairman is trying to hold some sort of moral high ground, and making him sound like a prized mong in the process. Appealing won't change the outcome. Any Hereford fan who thinks it will, are just fools.
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