St Mirren B have seen their 4-2 win against Cumbernauld Colts in the KDM Evolution Trophy wiped out after fielding an ineligible player during the match at Broadwood Stadium on 26 September.
Neither St Mirren nor the SPFL revealed the name of the player involved. The SPFL issued a formal reprimand and warning to the Paisley club regarding their future conduct, officially awarding Cumbernauld Colts a 3-0 victory instead.
The ruling alters the tournament standings with just one fixture remaining, with St Mirren B plummeting from 12th down to 29th in the league phase, leaving them outside the top 22 positions required to reach the second round.
The knock-on effect means East Fife slide into the final qualification spot, and Cumbernauld Colts move within one point and one place of The Buddies.
The awarded win keeps the Lowland League West side’s faint hopes of qualification alive. They host East Fife in a crucial final match on 13 October, while St Mirren B, now holding a record of two wins and three defeats, travel to face 11th-placed Edinburgh City.
In an official statement, St Mirren expressed their reluctance over the decision: “While we have held constructive talks with the SPFL surrounding the circumstances of the player’s availability, we have reluctantly accepted this sanction and will ensure the matter is dealt with accordingly.
“We will continue dialogue with the SPFL around the specific nature of this discrepancy.”
