Frustrated Troon chiefs say they have been left hundreds of pounds out of pocket after their Scottish Junior Cup tie against Irvine Vics was cancelled with just 48 hours notice.
The Ayrshire rivals were set to lock horns at Portland Park this afternoon in the second round of the competition.
But the plug was pulled on the game at lunchtime on Thursday after an appeal hearing into claims that Vics fielded an ineligible player in the previous round was axed due to time constraints.
Ayrshire Football News contacted the Scottish Junior Football Association's John Fyfe who confirmed Vics would not play on Saturday but stopped short of elaborating on their future in the competition.
Troon say they have been left counting the cost as a result of the saga and have hit out at football chiefs handling of the affair.
Club and match secretary Richard Henderson said: "The lack of communication has been the most disappointing aspect for us.
"The first we heard there might be a problem with the game was on Tuesday when we spoke to Irvine Vics.
"We sent emails asking for clarification but heard nothing back until we were notified around 12pm on Thursday that the game wouldn't be going ahead.
"To be told so late in the day - when everything has already been arranged and put in place for the Saturday - is a hard one to take.
"In terms of lost revenue, I think it's fair to say it'll be a high-three figure sum of money when you take into consideration gate money, hospitality, food, drink, programmes etc.
"We just feel the whole thing could've been avoided with some decisive early action."
Troon and Vics have agreed to play each other in a friendly instead today in an effort to keep ticking over.
Henderson added: "The likelihood is that the gate will be two thirds down on what it would've been but we're trying to make the best out of a bad situation.
"But another worry for us is fixture disruption down the line. We don't know what's happening with the tie or what the knock-on effect could be on other fixtures. It just didn’t need to happen as far as we’re concerned."
Vics were found guilty by the SJFA of playing a suspended player in the first round penalty shootout win against Fraserburgh on August 27.
We first reported on Tuesday that their hopes of continuing in the competition hung by a thread ahead of a Hampden appeal hearing.
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