IT MIGHT have been doom and gloom at Kimberley Stadium after Saturday's 3-0 Cornwall Senior Cup defeat but the smiles are back on Saltash United faces after Falmouth Town were found guilty of using an ineligible player.

Cornwall County FA noticed that 74th minute substitute Jamie Mudge had only signed for the Bickland Park club during last week and had not yet played a game for his new club

The Ashes have been reinstated into the draw for the semi-finals after the former Bideford striker joined the action despite Falmouth leading 3-0 at the time and with the game effectively in the bag.

Cornwall rules state that the player has to be a 'registered and recognised playing member of the club'.

It then goes on to explain that a recognised playing member is one who has actually played in a recognised league or cup game for the club in the current season.

Obviously, with Mudge making his debut during that game he had not fulfilled that criteria and was thus an ineligible player.

Ashes joint manager Stuart Dudley had mixed feelings over the decision.

He said: "This is not the way we have chosen to go forward but if rules are broken then who are we to argue with them.

"I'm sure that we will get Bodmin Town in the last four and the game will be on a Wednesday evening," concluded Dudley.