BROMSGROVE Rovers have escaped with a £250 fine after fears they may have had to replay their FA Umbro Trophy tie at Lancaster City.

Rovers won the second round tie 1-0 on December 2, but Lancaster protested after three Rovers players wore different numbers to those shown on the official teamsheet.

But an appeal by Lancaster was thrown out by the Football Association yesterday, and the Unibond League side were also forced to pay costs.

Rovers were fined under FA rules for their numbers mix-up, but they can now look forward to a trip to Chris Waddle's Worksop Town in the third round on January 13.

Chief executive Pat Bannister said: "We are delighted with the outcome.

"The Trophy is the only competition we have been doing well in this season and we are just happy to be in the next round."

Meanwhile, a fresh winding-up order issued by the Inland Revenue against the club has now been postponed until the New Year.

The bill is for an undisclosed amount, but Bannister is confident that Rovers will be able to pay up, having averted a similar order earlier this year.

"We have a new accountant at the club, and he has sent the figures to the Inland Revenue and they will calculate the figures by what we have paid in.

"We shouldn't have any problems but we still would like to encourage more people to buy shares in the club."

Rovers are also looking for a new secretary after Ray Barrow resigned for what Bannister said were "personal reasons". The physio and reserve team manager have also departed the Victoria Ground.