St John’s relegation to JCK Division Two next season has been confirmed after an appeal against the team’s point deduction was dismissed.

The Saints were hit by the penalty by the Isle of Man FA’s league management committee after fielding an ineligible player in their last game of the Premier League season.

The Johnners appealed the decision, but the FA’s disciplinary committee has upheld the original decision.

The match in question against Douglas Royal at Ballafletcher ended 2-2, a result that relegated Royal on goal difference.

The point the Saints gained in that match has now been taken off them though, meaning the westerners finish a point below Royal in the final standings and will now return to the second-tier next term for the first time since 2011.

Royal retain their place in the top-flight with only one team relegated from the Premier League last season after Braddan’s early withdrawal.