Chorley were bundled out of the Dunham Forest Trophy on their home turf after opponents Shaw Hill informed them shortly before the match was due to start that they had two ineligible players in their seven-man side.
England international Sam Stuart and his younger brother Tom were forced to withdraw from the competition because their are logged at St Annes Old Links where they play mostly in the winter.
Shaw Hill officials spotted their names on the team-sheet and pointed out to Chorley that because they did not hold the players' credentials it contravened the rules of the event which is run by the Manchester Alliance.
The hosts had no option but to replace them but with the matches about to get under way they were only able to draft in junior member Rob Heaton, who nevertheless won his tie.
A man down, the 2006 winners put up a determined fight before losing the third round clash at the first extra hole after the scores had been deadlocked at 3-3.
Alliance secretary Bert Thompson added: "Chorley should have been aware of the rule."
- For more on this story, see this week's Chorley Guardian
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