Carshalton Athletic boss Tommy Williams said "rules are rules" after rivals Thurrock lost an appeal against a points deduction and were relegated from the Ryman Premier, with the Robins bring reinstated.

The Essex side were found guilty of fielding Joel Barnett in August while he was on a West Ryding FA sine-die list.

Barnett played four times for Thurrock helping them to three points - these are the points being deducted.

Having only survived in the Ryman Premier last season by one point, the deduction sees Thurrock relegated, and the Robins reinstated.

Williams said: "I have been sitting by the phone waiting for the call. 

"It is great news for us, because we want to be playing at the highest level possible.

"I am really pleased that all the hard work we put in last season, especially in the run-in, has paid off.

"It also means we can get going with our preparation for the new season and I can speak to players knowing where I am with things."

Thurrock appealled the original decision in May, and it was only today that the FA disciplinary panel upheld the guilty verdict after a hearing that lasted three hours.

Williams said: "I know Thurrock will be disappointed, but if the FA have seen that rules have been broken they have to act. Rules are rules."

Thurrock have said they are likely to take the case to the court of arbitration, but a decision will not be made until later this week.