Eccleshill United were shocked by news of their West Riding County Cup reprieve after being beaten by neighbours Bradford Park Avenue in midweek.

Avenue came to the Smith-Butler Stadium as big favourites on Tuesday evening. They duly won the second-round tie 3-1 but when the team sheets and details were sent through to the County FA, it transpired that the Evo-Stik League club had unwittingly breached the rules.

Eagles secretary and spokesman Brian Bell said: “We were notified on Wednesday that our opponents had fielded an ineligible player. It was made clear to us that it was Chib Chilaka, who had scored one of the goals.”

The Bradford City striker is on a short loan spell with Avenue and was just glad to be involved after the club had faced three postponements.

Chilaka would have felt at home at Eccleshill as the Bantams’ reserves play games there and he made the most of that when he gave Avenue a 2-0 lead in the 78th minute.

Bell said: “The County FA must have spotted the breach of rule and acted on it quickly. I was very surprised when I was told at lunchtime the following day that we had been reinstated into the competition.

“The third-round games have to be completed by November 30, so it meant it was a very busy period for us. I was told by our chairman Adrian Benson that we had to get the tie against Thackley arranged for this Tuesday.

“As the home club, a lot of the preparation is our responsibility so we had Thackley to liaise with, the programme editor and printers to inform and our league to contact. It has been a bit of a hectic week because we are also at home to Louth Town tomorrow.”