CUP replay controversy has torpedoed a school's bid to reach the last 16 of a national competition.

Blackburn's Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School were dumped out of the Mindzone Individual Schools' Trophy after a dispute over extra-time rules.

The school finished their last 32 tie at Huddersfield with the scores at 2-2, believing a replay had been earned.

Football professional Vince O'Keefe and first team coach Roger Davies consulted the competition rule book and refused to play extra-time.

But the English Schools Football Association ruled against QEGS.

Director of physical education, Dr Mark Butler, said: "We were not doing it to gain an advantage.

"The organisers say the competition is played as cup-tie football and, if you get a draw in the first game, you get a replay in cup-tie football.

"It is not said nin the handbook that extra-time is played after the first game.

"We are disappointed with the ruling because of the ambiguity but we accept that we are wrong and accept the decision."

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