An embarrassing cock-up by the Football Association's Disciplinary Committee has handed Oxford United striker Julian Alsop a lifeline in his bid to avoid a big suspension.

Julian AlsopA three-man panel dismissed Alsop's appeal against the red card he received at Huddersfield on December 20 on Tuesday, handing the striker a five-game ban following his third dismissal of the season.

But when United asked questions about the appeal, it transpired that not all the evidence the club submitted was used in the hearing.

And after complaining that Alsop was not given a fair hearing, the FA admitted they were in the wrong and have agreed to hear the case again - with a new panel.

United secretary Mick Brown said the club were unhappy with the way the incident had been handled.

"We originally thought that the appeal had been rejected and that Julian's five-game ban would stand," Brown said.

"But on further questioning, we discovered that all the evidence that we supplied was not put in front of the disciplinary committee.

"I sent various forms of information to the FA, and when we found out that they had not used it all, it is fair to say that we were not particularly happy."

I understand that the linesman's report, the referee's report and the video all tell slightly different stories about the incident, and when all three are considered at the same time, then Alsop has a very good case.

But, if just one, or maybe two pieces of this evidence are used, it can make the outcome very different.

"We do not think that Julian's case was as strong as it would have been had all the evidence been used," Brown added.

"It means that we have got a glimpse of not having Julian banned for five matches - which would be for the whole of January - but the situation is not ideal."