LANCASTER City star Stuart Howson is at the centre of an astonishing FA cock-up after football's governing body handed him a three-match ban - even though he had done nothing wrong.

The 24-year-old defender, who has never been sent off in his career, was stunned to receive the ban after a referee reported that he had been dismissed for serious foul play in the 53rd minute of the game against Northwich Victoria on November 12.

Bizarrely, Howson played the full 90 minutes of that game, which City lost 2-1, and was right on the scene as Northwich scored their stoppage time winner.

And to make the cock-up even more unbelievable, the report stated that Howson was number nine. In fact, he wore shirt number five.

The report was filled out by a referee named Gary Coates, from Wallsend. The match referee for the Lancaster versus Northwich clash was Patrick Dunn.

But despite the errors, the FA processed Howson's suspension and the Chorley-born ace faced three matches out until the ban was rescinded late on Friday afternoon.

"I can't believe this," says Howson. "At first I thought it was an elaborate wind-up because the lads at Lancaster have got me before.

"But when you think about it it is ridiculous and an organisation the size of the FA should not be making mistakes like that.

"We play in the sixth tier of English football and it is crazy for this to happen.

"Just imagine the stink if this happened to Manchester United or Liverpool - it is just farcical.

"And when you think about it this could have got the club kicked out of the FA Trophy.

"I know it was a stupid mistake - but if the ban had not been overturned I would have technically been suspended for Saturday."

The wrong facts in the report also raise a smile for Howson.

"The report says I was sent off in the 53rd minute - but I was on the goal-line when Northwich won the game in stoppage time," he adds.

"And it also says I am number nine. I have never worn that shirt in my life. I played in number eight at Nuneaton and that's the highest I have ever been.

"And the report says the referee had a clear and unobstructed view.

"Where from? Spain."

A spokesman for the FA told the Citizen: "There appears to have been an administration error somewhere along the line.

"There is certainly some confusion over the reporting of this incident but that has now been cleared up and I can confirm that Stuart Howson is not suspended and there is now no record of the incident against his name."

City boss Phil Wilson, who has ruled himself out of the running for the vacancy at Barrow, adds: "This beggars belief."