The club, who finished third last season, appealed against the result of a match between Ashley and Trafford which went past the official end time set down by the league.

Ashley won the match and claimed the runners up spot in division three and the subsequent promotion.

But, after a lengthy process, member clubs of the division ruled that laws of the game had been broken by the umpires and points Ashley gained after the cut-off time were deducted, making Barnton the league runners up.

Barnton's Keith Noden said: "Obviously we're delighted to have won promotion and, in view of the effort put in by the team, we feel it was richly deserved.

"But for us to have to invoke the appeal procedure to gain what was ours by right was disappointing."

He added: "What has happened is in the past, now we must look to the future."

Barnton win appeal