FA Cup: Chesterfield replay decision frustrates MK Dons boss

Karl Robinson's side will play their second-round FA Cup tie against Chesterfield on 2 January

MK Dons boss Karl Robinson believes the Football Association was wrong to force a replay of the FA Cup second-round tie against Chesterfield.

Chesterfield won the game 1-0, but were subsequently punished for fielding an ineligible player.

"I don't think it's the right decision. I don't think either team needs that outcome," said Robinson.

"People may say 'you're getting punished as well for getting beat' but we respect the FA and always will."

The Spireites' on-loan Wolves defender Georg Margreitter did not have written permission to play in the match.

It is the first time that a punishment of replaying the game has been used for the offence.

Bury and Droylsden were kicked out in 2006 and 2008, respectively, for fielding ineligible players and Bradford were reinstated on appeal two seasons ago.

The FA will publish its full written reasons for the decision this week, but the governing body is able to apply punishments it deems appropriate for each individual case.

The winners of the replayed game, to be held at Stadium MK on Friday, 2 January, will go on to face either Scunthorpe or Worcester City, who meet on Wednesday night, in the third round.

"We have to play another game in the busiest period of English football," Robinson told BBC Three Counties Radio.

"Then it's Scunthorpe or Worcester away and if we draw that, we play it again - so we have the possibility of playing three games extra.

"As soon as we were out of the FA Cup, we planned the next two months. Now we can't plan a thing.

"We wrote a letter of support for Chesterfield - it's a great football club. It was just a very minor error. But both clubs understand rules are rules."