Amid the doom and gloom of the FA Cup defeat, there was some positive news for Sutton United boss Paul Doswell this week after Micky Spillane’s red card against Bath City on October 4 was overturned by the FA.

Spillane is now available for the Farnborough clash on Saturday, but it is bittersweet for the manager.

He said: “We feel like we’ve lost three points for fielding an ineligible player.

“We were 1-0 up and comfortable, then Micky got sent off and we lose 3-1.

“We’re surprised that our appeal was successful because there is a closed shop when it comes to questioning referees’ decision.

“The referee should be banned for a game.”

He added: “Those three points may not seem much but with all the injury problems we have, having 17 points from 10 games rather than 14 would make a big difference to the mentality around the club.”