Hereford are now facing a Football League charge of fielding an ineligible player in a game in which Torquay are also facing a similar charge. In Torquay's case the player was on-loan Shrewsbury striker Jake Robinson.

Rob Purdie is the Bulls player at the centre of what Hereford describe as a "genuine administrative oversight in the very hectic hours leading up to the transfer deadline".

The midfielder had been at Edgar Street on loan from Oldham since October but, having had his contract terminated by the Latics by mutual consent on January 31, signed a permanent deal with Hereford as a free agent the same day.

Registration for such a deal should have been completed by noon to enable Purdie to feature against Torquay the next day, whereas loan extensions and loan signings have until two different deadlines later in the day.

This confusion led to Hereford's error as Purdie was registered after 12pm, yet still played against the Gulls. The club reported the error as soon as it was discovered and have submitted a detailed explanation to the Football League.

The case will now be heard by a disciplinary commission and the club will be asking for a personal hearing.