Herne Bay fined for rule breaches as the result of abandoned Isthmian South East match against Haywards Heath Town stands

Herne Bay have been fined and the result of their abandoned match against Haywards Heath will now stand after they were charged with two rule breaches.

The Isthmian South East fixture between the sides - both eyeing play-off spots - was called off at half-time at Winch's Field on Saturday, February 12, with the referee injured and the teams unable to agree on a replacement official - or on how the match could continue with the existing officials.

Haywards Heath had led 1-0 through Jerson Dos Santos' effort.

Herne Bay, who lost 3-1 at Sevenoaks on Saturday despite Rory Smith's effort, confirmed in a club statement on Sunday they had been charged with a breach of league rules 14.3 and 8.39.

After presenting written evidence and a personal hearing, the decision of the appeal sub committee was to allow the result at the time of the abandonment to stand and to fine Herne Bay "a substantial amount."

The club statement added: "We have decided not to appeal to The FA despite the mitigating circumstances, and apologise to supporters and players that this unfortunate injury to the referee had the outcome that it has."

Ben Smith's Bay are just outside the play-offs in sixth and did have at least one fixture in hand on everyone above them but, in effect, have lost that game in hand on some of their rivals for a top-five finish.

They have now played 29 league fixtures, the same as second-placed Ashford and Ramsgate, in third, but still do have a match in hand on leaders Hastings, fourth-placed Cray Valley and Haywards Heath, who are fifth, albeit they are now four points ahead of them.

The club have also announced three new additions.

Full-back Troy Williams, who has played for both National League South Braintree and Isthmian