GREAT Harwood chairman Bill Holden is livid after his bottom of the table NWCL Division One side were fined three points after fielding a player not registered - even though the club brought it to the league's attention.

Harwood were fined £100 and three points and had the point taken off them for the 1-1 draw against Alsager in which Elliott Smith had played in August.

"It was just a simple mistake," said the chairman. "Our old manager John Hughes had signed about ten players at once and our secretary gave them to the new manager Dave Bradford to have look at and write down the contact numbers before we sent the forms off," said the chairman.

"Unfortunately one has slipped out of his briefcase and Dave found the form in the back of his car a couple of weeks later. We rang the league to inform them as soon as we realised our mistake.

"Elliot is only a 16-year-old lad and we hadn't done anything to deceive the league - it was an honest mistake. We hadn't played a suspended player or an ineligible player and, as soon as we knew what had happened, we contacted the league - they hadn't realised themselves.

"But they decided to deduct us the one point for the game, which I can live with and the £100 fine. But to be fined three points as well doesn't seem fair."

Harwood did appeal and went before the FA last week but the judgement was upheld.

"We are disappointed as we hadn't tried to dupe anyone. It was all done in good faith," continued the chairman. "I don't know what has happened this season, we have lost two managers, got four points deducted and are bottom of the league."

A NWCL spokesperson said: "Great Harwood Town played an ineligible player in a game they drew and therefore have been deducted the one point gained and three as per the rules."

Harwood are now eight points adrift at the foot of the table with two set to be relegated.

And, to make matters worse, Harwood lost to local rivals Colne 3-0 on Saturday. It all went wrong when Anthony Green was sent off after 10 minutes. Colne then raced into a two-goal lead and although Harwood defended well in the second half, Colne were awarded a penalty.

Keeper Bobby Harris saved the spot-kick but couldn't do anything about the follow up to end a miserable week for Harwood.

They haven't got a game on Saturday or next week.