CINDERFORD Town's decision to opt against promotion to the Southern Premier Division, despite being crowned champions of Division One S&W, will NOT see Taunton Town granted promotion in their place, the Southern League has confirmed.

Earlier this week, Cinderford Town urged the Football Association to 'see sense' and grant Taunton Town promotion, but a statement released on the Southern League website confirmed that Evesham United will move laterally into the Northern Premier League to accommodate Cinderford, subject to any appeal.

The Southern League statement said: ''It was with great disappointment that the League received written notification from Cinderford Town FC that it did not wish to take promotion into the Premier Division.

"The FA Alliance Allocations Group, having considered all options open to it under the FA Regulations for the Operation of the National League System, has made the following adjustments to its original allocations, subject to any appeals.

"Cinderford Town FC are to be allocated to the Southern League Division One South & West (Step 4) "Corby Town FC will be laterally moved at Step 3 from the Northern Premier League to the Southern League "Stamford AFC will be reprieved and be allocated to Northern Premier League Premier (Step 3) "Evesham United FC will be laterally moved at Step 4 from the Southern League Division One South & West to the Northern Premier League Division One South.

"While the Southern League welcomes the return of Corby Town to its membership, it deeply regrets that Cinderford Town’s late decision has resulted in the lateral movement of Evesham United to the Northern Premier League.

"We can only wish them the very best of luck and success and look forward to them returning to the Southern League fold at some time in the future."

Taunton Town finished third after a poor end to the season and were then beaten 2-0 in the play-off final by Banbury United.

Town chairman Kevin Sturmey last week slammed Cinderford's decision to refuse promotion, calling it 'a kick in the teeth' for his side and adding: "Work so hard @TauntonTownFC all season, lose a play-off final & now hear the news Cinderford refuse promotion is a kick in the teeth #wrong"

Taunton Town's official twitter account later tweeted: "We are ready and prepared to go up please give us a chance! Reprieving an already relegated club is surely wrong? #peacocksforpromotion"

But Cinderford have joined calls for the Peacocks to be granted promotion in place of them, while also explaining the reasons behind their controversial decision.

Cinderford Town AFC said on Twitter: 'We have huge ambitions to play Southern Premier Football, but after our Chairman, Committee etc... All leaving it has virtually left us in the Darkness with a huge rebuilding job on our hands. We hope to come back stronger but it will be tough.

'After everything that's been going on, we hope the FA see sense, and promote @TauntonTownFC and keep @EveshamUnitedFC in the SW league.'

Since the end of the season, Cinderford have seen chairman Ashley Saunders step down, followed by the exit of assistant-manager Gerry Oldham and first team manager John Brough.