THE provisional line-up of Worcester City’s division has been challenged by a club denied promotion to it.

Tividale, runners-up in the West Midlands (Regional) League, has lodged an appeal with the Football Association (FA) over not being granted a place in the Midland Football League (MFL) Premier Division.

It comes on the back of Ilkeston Town being elevated having also finished second in MFL Division One, the same level as Tividale’s.

The vacancy occurred in City’s division when Heanor Town opted for voluntary relegation to cut costs.

Tivi finished the season with a greater points-per-game ratio but a club statement argued both should be allowed to go up.

"There was nothing to suggest that these two feeder leagues to the MFL Premier would be treated differently,” it read.

"We are not against the decision to promote Ilkeston – we congratulate Ilkeston on their promotion.

"Indeed, we would not accept a promotion place at Ilkeston’s expense as we have recent experience of how much upheaval and heartache these appeals can (cause).

"Our belief is that Ilkeston has earned the right to be placed into a step five league but in this case so has Tividale."

National League System rules stated only one club from each division would go up but also that “where a vacancy occurs either before, during or after the playing season, the (FA’s) league committee shall decide how such vacancy shall be filled at its sole discretion”.