Met Police chairman Des Flanders hopes the Football Association learn from this season’s Ryman Premier League play-off farce.

The Blues, who beat AFC Hornchurch 2-1 on Saturday, were confirmed in fifth-place in the table on Wednesday after previous incumbents Enfield Town were deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player earlier in the season.

Town had fielded Aryan Tajbakhsh, who should have been serviing a two match suspension, in a 1-0 win over Hendon in January and the offence was reported to the league in February.

But it was not until last Friday that the FA found the Middlesex club guilty before subsequently throwing out their appeal this Wednesday allowing the Ryman League to #issue their sanction.

The play-off semi-finals - both slated to have been played last night – are still to be re-scheduled with Monday’s final now in doubt.

And Flanders, whose team will now travel to in-form Hendon to keep promotion hopes alive, believes the issue could have been handled better.

“As with other clubs who have commented on the matter we are both surprised and disappointed that the FA has apparently taken so long to deal with the case,” he said.

“A month ago it would still have mattered, but would not have produced the exaggerated consequence that now is the case.

“It is a very unsatisfactory situation all round and we can only hope the FA will take lessons from this situation and ensure no repeat.

“There is a sustainable argument that at least one club has been forced into retaining their squad in playing mode – with the attendant costs unnecessarily – and should be recompensed.”

Enfield have not ruled out legal action over the ruling meaning the uncertainty could yet rumble on.

“Enfield Town FC are extremely disappointed with the decision made by the Ryman League to remove three points from its playing record yesterday,” said a statement on club’s website on Thursday.

“No reasons for the League’s decision were provided to the club and we await the League’s written reasons.

“The club made a significant attempt to resolve this matter and appointed legal counsel to make its representations.

“Footballing issues should be dealt with on the field of play and not in the courts.

“Unfortunately this decision means the uncertainty continues.

“The board will consider the next steps as soon as possible.”