THE chief executive of the English Schools FA has defended a decision to replay a town team match.

John Read says it was right for the game to be replayed despite Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Under 15s beating Manchester Schools in a penalty shoot-out.

Mr Read believes a 'misinterpretation of the rules' led to the Inter Association Trophy third round clash going to spot kicks when that should never have been the case.

But the manager of Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, Adam Hutchinson, insists his side were harshly dealt with and refused to play the rematch on a matter of principle.

Adam said he consulted with the rule book after the two teams were tied at 5-5 after extra time and the referee sanctioned the game should go to penalties - a decision Mr Read believes was wrong.

"There seems there has been a misinterpretation of the rules but it should never have happened as they are quite clearly stated," said the chief executive.

"I don't know how the referee and the manager of the Hyndburn and Ribble Valley team came to this decision because this is the only competition we run that actually goes to replays.

"But there has obviously been a mix-up for which I am very sorry.

"From next season, the rules will be changed so that all matches will be decided on penalty kicks but, of course, that is no consolation to Hyndburn in this instance."

The whole row centred around a deadline date for games to be completed by.

Matches that are on the deadline date are decided on penalties or a special request as to be made to settle the result on day "The match was close to the deadline but there was still time for a match to be replayed and not effect the next round," added Mr Read. "The only other way a match can be settled on spot kicks is if a special request is made. We didn't receive a request from either side."

Mr Read side the Manchester manager agreed to penalties kicks 'under duress' and then launched a complaint to the ESFA the following day.

"The Manchester team were well within their rights to launch an objection which was upheld by our competitions committee.

"Every effort was made to replay the game but Hyndburn decided they did not want to which is a shame as it is the players who miss out.

"However, there will be no action taken against Hyndburn and Ribble Valley for not fulfilling the fixture and, as far as we are concerned, the matter is now closed."