SOUTHEND United have been ordered to replay their FA Youth Cup clash at Barton Rovers.

The Shrimpers won the first clash between the two teams 6-1 last week.

But Echosport understands Blues fielded an underage player towards the end of the tie.

And, after attending a hearing at Wembley yesterday, Southend’s chief executive Steve Kavanagh confirmed the club had been ordered to play the game again.

“We will be replaying the game after a technical breach of a rule,” said Kavanagh.

“Our case was listened to and we need to say a massive thank you to Barton Rovers.

“They have been top class throughout all of this and without them I really do think we would have been thrown out of the competition.

“We’re obviously pleased that hasn’t happened because it would’ve denied our young group of players the opportunity to play in this great cup.”

A date for the rearranged game has yet to be confirmed but the tie must take place before Saturday November 21.

The winners of the tie will travel to Newport County in the second round of the competition.

But Blues are not yet sure of making it that far after they broke competition rule 15 (i) by fielding a player who had not reached the age of 15 by the end of August.