Lossiemouth handed reprieve as Nairn County are kicked out of GHP Builders Merchants Highland League Cup for fielding ineligible player
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Nairn County have been thrown out of the GHP Builders Merchants Highland League Cup, handing Lossiemouth a place in the quarter-finals.
County made the error of fielding an ineligible player in their 3-0 win at Grant Park last Saturday, and informed the Highland League of the issue.
The Highland side have now been removed from the competition and the beaten Lossie side will take their place in the next round with a home tie against Brechin City.
Nairn have since rejected club secretary Ian Finlayson's offer to resign his position due to the error.
The Station Park club said in a statement: "Today we were informed by the SFA that we had played an ineligible player in our recent GPH Builders Highland League Cup tie with Lossiemouth.
"We immediately informed Highland League secretary of the breach of regulation.
"Unfortunately, on investigation, this breach has proved to be entirely correct and as such we have been removed from the Highland League Cup as per competition rules.
"We have no issue or desire to contest this and fully accept the ruling, it was our mistake and we apologise to the league and to Lossiemouth FC for the error.
"We thank the League for their speedy conclusion to this matter and wish the remaining teams best of luck in the competition."
Nairn won last week's match thanks to two early goals from Ciaran Young and a second half Liam Shewan goal.
The Highland League said: "As a result of playing a player who is not eligible in their first round tie against Lossiemouth on the 12 November, Nairn County have been ejected from the 2022/23 season of the GPH Builders Merchants Cup.
"Lossiemouth will now host Brechin City in the second round at Grant Park, Lossiemouth on the 3 December 2022."
