KNUTSFORD Football Club’s protest regarding one of their late-season results has been successful.

Despite the addition of points to their tally, however, Reds have still fallen just short of a return to the Cheshire Football League’s top flight.

The club lodged an appeal following a 2-1 defeat to Malpas at Manchester Road on May 14, alleging their opponents had fielded several ineligible players in the fixture.

Now, the league have informed the club their protest has been upheld and that the three points for the fixture have been added to their record and removed from their opponents’.

It means Knutsford finish the CFL League One season in 60 points, just two shy of the second automatic promotion spot won by St Michaels DH, who won 3-2 at Manchester Road on Knutsford’s penultimate game of the season.

The 2023-24 is now officially at its end for Reds, who have the Cheshire Amateur Cup in their possession for the second time following their final victory over Poynton.

A shorter break than usual will now follow due to the late end to the campaign, with pre-season training set to get underway on Saturday, June 29.

Pre-season friendlies are currently being arranged ahead of the new CFL season, which is set to get underway at the end of July.

The club also held its end-of-season awards night recently to acknowledge the squad’s achievements during the campaign.

Jonny Cavanagh picked up two awards including the players’ player of the year prize while he also took home the top goalscorer award having netted 18 goals, with Charlie Rodick and Jimmy Woodward both close behind on 17.

Rocco Fregapane also claimed two prizes having been named young player of the year and supporters’ player of the year.

Long-serving defender Graeme Brotherton scooped two special awards – the manager’s and chairman’s prizes – while the management team of Nick Ward, Jordan Gunter, Dave Mullins and Adam Cross all received framed prints and bottles of champagne.