Chesterfield ordered to replay FA Cup game against Stockport due to administrative error

The Spireites won the October 24 tie 7-6 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Edgeley Park after 90 minutes and collected £9,395 in prize money.

But it has emerged that the club failed to register on-loan Burnley defender, Jordan Cropper, who started and scored in the shootout, in time with the Football Association and therefore breached the competition’s rules by fielding an ineligible player.

The two teams replayed the match on Wednesday night – after the DT had already gone to press - with the winner travelling to Rochdale in the first round on Saturday.

Cropper was not allowed to play in the replay.

Blues chief executive, John Croot, said: “It is unfortunate that a technical issue resulted in an administrative procedure not being completed.

“The FA panel considered our submission, ruled that the tie would have to be replayed and we have to accept their decision.”

Understandably, Chesterfield fans were disappointed at the costly error.

On Twitter, @llewelly27 said: “Embarrassing. No other words for it.”

@saltergate1 posted: “This is really sloppy.”

@SAllan500: wrote: “Embarrassing just makes us look like total amateurs.”

@jarviscockup said: “That is absolutely astonishing.”

An identical issue happened in 2014 when Chesterfied were forced to replay their FA Cup second round match against MK Dons after fielding an ineligible loan player (Georg Margreitter) in a 1-0 win. The Spireites replayed the tie and won 1-0 again.