CHERRIES have been crowned champions of the Football League Youth Alliance - thanks in part to an administrative oversight by one of their nearest pursuers Swindon Town.

The Robins were convinced they had pipped Joe Roach's under-18s to the South West Conference title after completing their 16 league fixtures with two more points than Cherries.

But as the Football League had no record of Swindon's penultimate match against Newport County taking place, their 4-2 victory was declared "null and void".

Swindon beat the Exiles in a rearranged match on January 31 after the original clash had been postponed on January 22 - but it appears nobody told the league.

An email from the Football League to the Daily Echo confirmed that they had not "received any notification of the fixture" or "appointed any match officials" or "received the result".

The league also confirmed that the final tables published yesterday - which saw Cherries claim the title by a single goal from Exeter City with Swindon in third - would not change.

All league fixtures had to be completed by February 5 and despite missing out on the championship, Swindon will join Cherries and Exeter in the top flight of this season's Merit Division South.

Swindon's youth team coach Ian Woan claimed that the result of their match against Newport had been "phoned to the Press Association on the Tuesday", but added that they would not be appealing.

When informed about the league's decision by the Daily Echo, Woan said: "If that's right then I can't argue. I haven't had any phone calls from the Football League.

"It's no problem. It's about the football, not about the results. We wanted to get into the top three of the Merit Division and that's all we were bothered about. All the very best to Bournemouth. If that's the way it's gone then that's the way it's gone."

Dean Court head of youth Roach, who guided the club to the under-17 title last season, said he had sympathy with Swindon, but also said the issue would not take the gloss off winning the league.

Roach added: "Our objective from day one was to finish as high as we could and to try to make sure we competed in the top flight of the Merit Division which we've done.

"The fact we've done it for the second season in succession by finishing top of the league is a fantastic achievement for the youth programme.

"I do feel for Swindon because they are a very well organised club. This has benefited us to a degree and disadvantaged them slightly, but they are in the same pot as us for the Merit Division. I would be more disappointed for them if it meant they didn't finish in the top three."

Cherries kick off their eight-match series of Merit Division fixtures against Exeter City at Chapel Gate on Saturday before visiting QPR on February 26. They host Swindon on April 9.

Meanwhile, Roach's charges are expected to be presented with their league trophy ahead of a forthcoming first-team match at Dean Court.