The Football Association yesterday admitted they had not ruled out the possibility of ordering a replay of the controversial fourth round FA Cup tie between Tranmere and Sunderland.
The tie at Prenton Park ended in confusion on Saturday when Tranmere defender Clint Hill was sent off for a second bookable offence with time running out and his side 1-0 ahead.
But instead of being reduced to 10 men, the home side sent on substitute Stephen Frail without taking off another player and Frail helped defend Sunderland's free-kick before the mistake was noticed and Andy Parkinson taken off.
Sunderland boss Peter Reid acknowledged there had been a breach of the rules but was reluctant to call for a replay while Tranmere manager John Aldridge was quick to lay the blame at the feet of referee Rob Harris and fourth official David Unsworth.
Aldridge readily admitted that there were 11 men on the field when Nicky Summerbee resumed play but he questions the actions of Mr Unsworth and the other match officials, including referee Rob Harris.
"It was nothing to do with us. If the officials can't do it right, it is nothing to do with our lads," Aldridge said.
FA spokesman Adrian Bevington said that they were keeping their options open ahead of today's meeting of the Challenge Cup Committee.
"We have not ruled out anything at this stage," Bevington told PA Sport.
A replay would seem harsh on Tranmere who claimed a place in the fifth round and their fourth Premiership scalp of the season through Wayne Allison's first-half goal.
But the fact remains that the laws of the game were broken with Frail crucially challenging Jody Craddock. And precedents have already been set this season for a game to be replayed where breaches of the rules, accidental or otherwise, have occurred.
And topically, tomorrow will see the replay of the Worthington Cup quarter-final between Aston Villa and West Ham brought about because the Hammers inadvertently fielded a cup-tied player for the dying minutes of extra-time before winning on penalties.
TRANMERE: Achterberg, Yates, Challinor, Hill, Roberts, Parkinson (Frail 90), Henry, Jones, Koumas (Mahon 50), Allison, Kelly (Taylor 79). Subs Not Used: Nixon, Hazell. Sent Off: Hill (90). Booked: Jones, Hill, Henry, Roberts. Goals: Allison 25.
SUNDERLAND: Sorensen, Makin, Bould (Craddock 46), Butler, Gray, Summerbee, McCann, Rae, Roy, Schwarz (Reddy 82), Phillips. Subs Not Used: Marriott, Williams, Oster. Booked: Butler, Schwarz, Roy.
Referee: R Harris (Oxford).
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