Didcot Town were yesterday dealt a big blow ahead of Saturday's FA Vase final, when their hopes of promotion to the Southern League were scuppered.

At an FA hearing in London, Wessex League champions Lymington & New Milton and Combined Counties League winners Walton Casuals, had their appeals upheld over their ground grading failure, and will now take their place in a nine-club draw for promotion.

Didcot, who finished second in the Hellenic League Premier Division, had been given a promotion lifeline, after Lymington and Walton both originally failed to bring their grounds up to the required standard by the deadline of April 30.

The Railwaymen were subsequently drawn to play either Winchester City or Enfield Town at home for the eighth promotion spot, but the match was put on hold after Lymington and Walton decided to appeal.

In the 13 feeder leagues, only seven championship-winning clubs had brought their grounds up to scratch by April 30.

Didcot chairman John Bailey said: "I'm very disappointed.

"I think it sends out the wrong message to clubs that they can appeal against decisions, even if they have not adhered to the rules.

"If every other club got their grounds ready on time, I don't think it's fair that these two can appeal.

"But life goes on. I guess they were champions and deserve their chance, it's just disappointing at the way it's ended up.

"On the plus side, at least we can now enter the FA Vase again next season."

The news will also be unwelcome for the seven other clubs who thought they had already secured promotion.

Didcot can counter-appeal, but they are unlikely to go down that route.

Club secretary Simon Kelly said: "We're going to take this decision on the chin and get on with it.

"I think the FA have made rods for their own backs, but from a personal viewpoint, I just hope we go on and win the league next season."

Didcot Town will be selling one-off FA Vase final replica shirts on Friday at the Loop Meadow Stadium.

The sale will be on between 10am and 2pm and again between 6pm and 9pm.

Didcot's players, who will be training at Loop Meadow at noon on Friday, will be on hand to sign the shirts for anyone who turns up.

There will also be other FA Vase final memorabilia on sale at the ground.