A FURIOUS Chesterfield councillor has called on Droylsden to forfeit their place in the FA Cup after the non-league team's floodlights failed with them trailing 2-0 to the Spireites in midweek.

Derek Davis

A FURIOUS Chesterfield councillor has called on Droylsden to forfeit their place in the FA Cup after the non-league team's floodlights failed with them trailing 2-0 to the Spireites in midweek.

Ipswich Town are still waiting to see who they will play in the third round at Portman Road during the first weekend of January after the original tie was called off due to fog with Droylsden winning 1-0.

The second game at ended 2-2 after the Spireites went 2-1 up in controversial circumstances when Jack Lester scored instead of giving the ball back following an injury.

Chesterfield allowed the Manchester-based side to equalise and set up a replay at the Butchers Arms Ground.

But with the Bloods trailing 2-0 to goals by Lester and former Ipswich Town favourite Darren Currie, the floodlights failed in the 70th minute and the game called off.

Cllr Toby Perkins, from Chesterfield Labour Party, wrote to the directors of Droylsden FC asking them to drop out of the competition in keeping with the spirit of the cup or risk blackening their reputation.

He said: “This tie has attracted considerable worldwide attention and following Chesterfield's decision to 'allow' Droylsden to equalise in the second match it has been seen as an example of the spirit of fairness that epitomises all that is good about the FA Cup.

“Now Droylsden, who were 2-0 down in the closing stages, have the chance to do the same. I sincerely hope they will show the same good spirit and forfeit the tie.

“If Droylsden concede the tie their actions and indeed the extraordinary events that have surrounded this tie will go down in the history of the FA Cup along with the White Horse final and Arsenal's decision to replay their match with Sheffield United.

“If instead Droylsden progress to the third round it will blacken their name and their exciting cup run will instead be tainted with suspicion and shame.

“I hope Droylsden do the right thing and forfeit the tie and I have written to them asking them to do so.”

It is highly unlikely the Blue Square North side will drop out and the fourth attempt to settle the tie will be played next Tuesday, providing the Butchers Arms Ground passes an electrical inspection.