LANCASTER City star Stuart Howson can play for the Dolly Blues on Saturday after the FA corrected a bizarre administrative cock-up, which led to the defender receiving a three-match ban.

Howson faced three matches on the sidelines after City were notified of a suspension on the eve of the big FA Trophy tie with Workington at Giant Axe.

A referee's report had been sent to Soho Square claiming that Howson had been dismissed in the 53rd minute of City's 2-1 defeat to Northwich Victoria on November 12.

The report stated that Howson was red-carded for a late tackle from behind, which is classed as serious foul play and brings with it a three-match suspension.

However, Howson played the full 90 minutes of the game and the referee's name on the report was different to the name of the match referee, Patrick Dunn.

And a spokesman for the FA told the Citizen: "There appears to have been an administration error somewhere along the line.

"There is certainly some confusion over the reporting of this incident but that has now been cleared up and I can confirm that Stuart Howson is not suspended and there is now no record of the incident against his name."

City boss Phil Wilson says: "This just beggars belief."