AFC Telford United chairman Lee Carter today called for commonsense to prevail in the row over the expunging of Farsley Celtic’s Blue Square North record, insisting: “We’ve all lost out.”

League leaders Fleetwood are in the next 24 hours set to launch a formal appeal to the FA against the Conference Board’s decision, believing it handed an unfair advantage to Southport in the title race.

Telford actually moved slightly closer to the play-off positions as a result of Farsley disbanding, because they did not gain any points against the Yorkshire side than many of their rivals.

But Carter insists self-interest is not his motivation in speaking out – pointing out that the Bucks had still suffered financially as a result of the mess.

“It’s unfair on us as well because we lost five per cent of our gate revenue from the fact that Farsley went out of business,” said Carter.

“That’s £10,000 out of our income which, for a club without a rich benefactor at the top making up the difference, is a big chunk of money.

“I’d much rather have the £10,000 in the bank and not have gained any points advantage from the situation.

“It’s very easy to say the Conference Board should have acted differently, but they are in the eye of the storm and I think they have acted in the best interests of everyone.”

Carter also believes football as a whole will suffer if the appeal process drags on beyond the scheduled end of the season on April 24.

Conference officials have a real headache, with 10 Blue Square Premier clubs also having joined forces to appeal a similar decision to expunge the now-defunct Chester City’s playing record in that division.

By CHRIS HUDSON