Curzon Ashton had their immediate five point penalty deduction ordered by an FA Tribunal in October reduced to three when their appeal against the decision was heard on Friday at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The initial decision over a financial irregularity had imposed a ten point penalty on the club with half the points suspended together with a £2,700 fine half of which was suspended.

Friday’s appeal hearing reduced the points deduction to six points, half of which was suspended, but removed the suspended element of the original financial sanction leaving Curzon Ashton with a £2,700 fine and an immediate three point deduction.

The points deduction will be applied by the League once official notification is received from the Football Association in writing.