REDDITCH Borough’s hopes of a cup final at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium remain in limbo as Midland League chiefs reach for the rule book.

Borough played out a 3-3 draw with FC Stratford after extra-time in Saturday’s Les James Challenge Cup semi-final and lost the penalty shoot-out 4-2 before their Midland League Division Three visitors admitted to fielding an ineligible player.

Captain James Robbins was not permitted play in the semi-final or final of the competition reserved for clubs in the third and fourth tiers of the league having played more than six matches in Division One for Studley earlier in the campaign.

Stratford manager Dave Poulson released a statement via his club’s Twitter feed on Sunday admitting the “genuine mistake” would lead to Borough’s reinstatement before wishing them well in the final against Paget Rangers on Tuesday, May 16.

Redditch boss Julian Workman said: “Looking at the rules, I cannot see anything wrong from our side but it is with the Midland League now and they must adjudicate.

“Stratford admitted their mistake and you have to feel for any club in that position. The rules are quite complex in this competition but they are in place to ensure it is contested by lads who have been at this level all season.

“It was certainly a strange weekend for us and the match itself was a bit of a roller coaster. Every time we looked like we had settled, something changed.

“Either they came back at us, got a slice of fortune or we made lives difficult for ourselves. It was not like us and that was the most frustrating part, not quite showing our best in such an important game.

“Still, with the way we have played all season I think we are due a bit of luck and we remain hopeful of playing in the final.”