BROCKENHURT fifth-round tie remains in limbo - after Athletic Newham appealed the FA decision to kick them out of the competition.

Newham had until midday Friday to appeal the decision, with Littlehampton Town being preliminarily reinstated into the competition.

It appears currently that an appeal is being considered by the FA.

The Daily Echo has approached the FA for comment and clarity.

There was further confusion when the FA announced the charges – with Newham believed to have fielded an ineligible player in two separate rounds of the competition.

Newham fielded a suspended player in the third-round win over Abbey Rangers, before naming a separate banned player for the fourth-round tie with Littlehampton.

However, the Daily Echo understands that the charge regarding the Abbey Rangers fixture was withdrawn earlier this week.

Last night, Littlehampton stated on their website: "Littlehampton Town Football Club have today received confirmation from the FA that we have been reinstated into the Buildbase FA Vase (subject to appeal) and we will now take our place in the Fifth Round of the competition.

"This is following Athletic Newham fielding an ineligible player under the competition specific sanctioning rules in the Fourth Round. The Fifth Round match will take place on Sunday 13th February 2022 where we will welcome Brockenhurst to The Sportsfield for a 3pm kick-off.”

In the fourth-round fixture between the two sides, Newham cruised past Littlehampton with a 5-0 win – but Littlehampton are no mugs, sitting top of their Step 5 league – the same level as Brockenhurst.

The West Sussex outfit have grabbed 94 goals in just 25 league games – with top goalscorer Joe Benn plundering 55 goals in 35 games across all competitions.