Wealdstone's late rush to an unlikely play-off, with three days of the National League South season remaining, is over.

The club was informed by the league, at the FA Headquarters at Wembley Stadium, that it will not be permitted to take part in the end-of-season promotion tournament.

Poole Town and Hungerford Town had already been expelled from the play-offs by the National League because they had not installed the requisite number of covered seats - with 500 required - so had the Stones finished seventh, they would have taken one of their places in the top five by default.

Wealdstone do have the required total, having completed a 700-seat installation last week, but the cut-off to meet league requirements was March 31, and the hearing at Wembley today ruled that having missed the deadline, the Stones will also be ineligible for the play-offs.

Chairman Peter Marsden told the Harrow Times: "Arguably we should have done it a bit quicker, but it was only towards the latter stages of the season where we rocketed up the league.

"Getting the seats in was not only about getting into the play-offs this season but also in preparation for next year.

"It might mean we don't have the chance to play in the National League until 2018, but it was always our intention to go for it properly next year and hope to be there or there abouts this season.

"If someone gives you a lucky break, I'm of the opinion that you take it, but things happen for a reason. One of the representatives from the other clubs said they hoped the ruling went against them because they weren't ready, but that's not how I work."

Wealdstone end their league season at East Thurrock United on Saturday.