SOCCER:Droylsden manager Dave Pace has vowed to fight the decision to throw the minnows out of the FA Cup after describing his club's costly mistake as "the slightest of slight errors".

The Blue Square North side were punished today for fielding an ineligible player in the final game of their epic second-round tie against Chesterfield.

Pace, who is also chairman of Droylsden, disputed the FA Cup protest sub-committee's decision which means League Two side Chesterfield will now play Ipswich in the third round on Saturday — unless Droylsden succeed when their appeal against the expulsion is heard on Wednesday.

After two postponements and a draw, at the fourth time of asking Droylsden beat Chesterfield 2-1.

But defender Sean Newton, who scored both goals for the Manchester side, should have been serving a suspension for picking up five bookings.

Pace said: "We're obviously disappointed. It never ceases to amaze me really.

"It is an administration error. We had the game the other night with the floodlight failure so we assumed Sean would have been out for the (New Year's Day game against) Vauxhall Motors game.

"It is the slightest of slight errors. He is not a ringer and he has been registered for two years. We didn't try to lie and to be kicked out of the FA Cup shows there is no grey areas.

"I just think it's absolutely ridiculous. We have the right to appeal so that is what we will be doing."