The Ryman League has been infuriated by an FA decision to relegate Corinthian Casuals to the Combined Counties League.

Brian Adamson's side missed out on a last-gasp Ryman Division One South reprieve on Monday after an FA committee meeting to conclude the annual restructuring of the non-league pyramid.

Casuals had finished second-bottom in the league, giving them some hope of avoiding relegation to the Combined Counties League - but an FA ruling sealed their fate.

It is understood the Ryman League have been angered by the decision due to the fact that Chatham Town, who, as it stands, will remain a Ryman club next season, are still to make the essential ground improvements, while Casuals met the ground grading deadline of March 31.

The Tolworth-based side could still be handed a Ryman League lifeline if Chatham fail to meet the league's ground criteria by the end of May. Ryman officials think it is touch and go whether the Kent side will complete the changes in time.

Furious Casuals boss Adamson said: "The league rules state that ground grading by Ryman League clubs need to be completed by March 31.

"We have done that and Chatham haven't, so why do they have a reprieve? They knew what the rules were.

"The ground grading rules is part of being in the league and if a club doesn't abide by the rules then they shouldn't be in the league."