Manager Bradley Quinton has branded the Football Association's decision to find Enfield Town guilty of fielding an ineligible as comical and farcical.

Saturday's 2-0 home win over Witham Town should have been enough to set up an Isthmian Premier Division play-off semi-final against runners-up Hendon on Thursday but the Towners must now wait to see if they will face a points deduction.

Midfielder Aryan Tajbakhsh was suspended for two matches after joining the Towners from VCD Athletic, who, along with previous club Cheshunt had not correctly reported his bookings to the FA.

The Towners say they informed the FA immediately after discovering Tajbakhsh had played in two games he should have been suspended for and were advised in response not to play the 24-year-old in their next two fixtures.

Enfield followed that instruction and were also told they would face no further punishment from the FA, whilst the Isthmian League were also informed on February 17.

However, on Wednesday Enfield were found guilty of fielding an ineligible player by the FA and are now awaiting the written reasons for the governing body's decision.

"It is comical, it really is," fumed Quinton. "They are trying to stick to their guns but saying we have done everything right."

The confusion occurred after Tajbakhsh joined Town from Isthmian Premier Division new-boys VCD Athletic, who had spelled his name wrong on his disciplinary record.

Cheshunt had recorded the player's date of birth incorrectly during his time there meaning there had been three separate disciplinary records for the midfielder.

"It is farcical," continued Quinton. "I do not understand it. If you ask anyone how many bookings they have got they won't know. He has moved three times. He might remember how many goals he has scored but not how many bookings."

But Quinton believes the news has had a galvanising effect on his squad, stating he knew they would beat Witham on Saturday. "It feels like relegation, if you ask me," said Quinton. "But the boys have been fantastic and they just want to do everything they can to get promoted."

Enfield were found guilty of breaching Isthmian League Rule 6.9 and now face the prospect of being docked three three points won against Hendon on January 10.

If that were to happen, sixth-placed Met Police overhaul them and take the final play-off berth.

That despite the FA’s concession Enfield Town had acted properly in carrying out the necessary checks; had identified and highlighted the issue to the FA immediately and the FA's own inadequate record system had led to this situation arising.

A club statement read: "We await the written reasons for the decision and the club will, given the circumstances, be likely to appeal.

"We are bewildered at the decision given that it is accepted the club did nothing wrong and it was impossible to know of the incorrect records made by other clubs.

"We believe the stance of the FA on this matter has far reaching consequences for football and may encourage others not to report discrepancies in the future. We will of course keep you up to date with events.

"We are sorry for the uncertainty this issue will cause to our many supporters that make this club unique. We urge that you all get behind Brad and the lads on Saturday."

Town director Ken Brazier added: "Disappointment is the overall feeling, not least because of the order of events and the impression that something had gone awry but not at our end.

"The board have decided to wait for the written findings of the meeting before deciding whether to appeal.

"The next step would be to consider an appeal but until we get a written summary we can’t decide what the next step is."

The Towners have since announced they are prepared to either replay their home match against Hendon - the match which is subject to a points deduction - or take the points deduction next season. They are also proposing a change in the wording of rule 6.9 to allow greater flexibility in its application in the future.