BURY St Edmunds have been docked 25 points for fielding an ineligible player in a first XV match.

The incident happened in January when the club included an unregistered player and the senior playing committee at the club have totally accepted the decision.

The first XV, from being fourth in London 1 North, 15 points off leaders Thurrock, have now dropped to sixth-bottom.

The loss of points is a huge blow to the club’s promotion push and the focus will now be on trying to win back the Suffolk Cup and cementing their position in mid-table for the rest of this season.