Sheppey face an uphill battle to snatch the Kent 1 title from Ashford's grasp after being punished by a Kent RFU disciplinary hearing on Tuesday.

The hearing focused on the abandoned game between Lordswood and Sheppey on October 23 which was halted amid trouble between players and home supporters who spilled onto the pitch.

A statement from club chairman Neil Golding (pictured) and director of rugby Andy Hosken said: "We presented a thorough and well-considered case in what was a long and difficult evening."

The panel handed Martin Robinson a three-week ban, reduced from six, and Chris Bain a four-week ban, down from five, for their part in the ugly scenes and found the club guilty of bringing the game into disrepute, ordering them to pay costs of £300.

Both Lordswood and Sheppey received a warning as to their future conduct while the original match was declared void as a 0-0 draw, with no league points awarded.

The ruling makes Sheppey's pursuit of leaders Ashford almost impossible as they need the leaders to lose a game and fail to secure maximum points in another, while the Islanders need to win all their remaining games.

Mr Golding and Mr Hosken's statement added: "It is our recomendation to the Club's Committee that we do not lodge an appeal to the RFU.

We recognise that the KCRFU gave us a fair and detailed hearing.

"While expressing some disappointment with the sanctions imposed, we appreciate that the matter is finally resolved and that we can now concentrate on our remaining league and cup campaigns."

Sheppey travel Old Gravesendians in Kent 1 on Saturday.