The fury and indignation at Oxford United’s five-points deduction will not go away.

Manager Chris Wilder said: “Speaking with other managers, they all find it incredible. Rules are there to stop cheating, not to penalise clubs when it involves a player who’s been with you for three years.

“What has happened to the club off the pitch, is, I feel very unjust. But we are very strong as a group.

“It’s still going to rankle with me. But it gives us that siege mentality to drive ourselves forward.”

The Conference have now infuriated Blus Square North side King’s Lynn by informing them they will be demoted at the end of the season because their stadium does not meet Conference standards.

The club and stadium owners King’s Lynn Borough Council have committed to completing improvements by next season.

And the club say they have an unconditional undertaking from the council that they will carry out all the required alterations in time for the next campaign.

Meanwhile, Wilder has sent out a message to the fans ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Northwich – let’s put on a show of force.

The United boss, whose side have put together a magnificent run of only one defeat in their last 19 matches, said he was looking for the fans to roar them on against the already-relegated Cheshire side.

“We could have asked for a bit more from Tuesday’s results,” he said.

“But we have put ourselves in with an opportunity of getting in the play-offs and that’s all you can ask for.

“We’re hoping for a bumper crowd and I think the supporters, who have been magnificent for us, will respond. There is still hope there.

“My message to the fans is come along to the game – the players will certainly appreciate the support, as they have done all season.

“It’s a good opportunity for the fans to show the rest of the Conference what we are all about.”

“Assistant manager Mickey Lewis said the Oxfordshire Senior Cup final in midweek had given the chance for Eddie Hutchinson, Matt Day and Barry Quinn to keep their match-fitness levels up.

He said: “We were pleased with the win, but Barry Quinn, Matt Day, Declan Benjamin and Matt Taylor, none of whom have played for a while, also needed to get in a game.