Latest points deductions hit Crawley and Oxford

January 13, 2009—

There's an old saying that goes something like, 'The job's not over until the paperwork is done' but in the case of way too many Conference clubs this season it should be changed to say, 'Don't start the job until the paperwork is done'.

Earlier in the season Mansfield Town were deducted 4pts for fielding an ineligible player and sit just above the relegation zone, now Oxford Utd and Crawley Town have also suffered the same fate, being docked 5pts and 4pts respectively.

For Oxford the punishment will likely mean the end of any play-off hopes as they are already 9pts off a play-off spot before the deduction. Crawley's hopes of a play-off spot could survive as they will only be dropped to 6th spot just 1pt off the top five as it currently stands.

Of course the Conference season is only half-way through and who knows if more teams will have skeletons come out of their closets to haunt them before the current campaign is over. At that point it may be a case of 'last team standing' wins.