MACCLESFIELD Town have been relegated to the National League after the EFL won an appeal against a points deduction.

It means the Silkmen will face newly-promoted Weymouth home and away next season after finishing 24th in League Two.

Macclesfield had been penalised two points for breaches of regulations relating to players' wages, with a further four points suspended.

In winning their appeal for a harsher punishment, the EFL will apply the four-point deduction leaving Macclesfield bottom by three points.

Stevenage have therefore been spared relegation to non-league football.

Macclesfield have been docked a total of 17 points this season, stretching across three disciplinary cases.

An EFL statement read: "An independent Arbitration Panel has upheld the EFL’s appeal in respect of the outcome of an independent Disciplinary Commission who in June 2020 had considered misconduct charges brought against Macclesfield Town.

"The charges related to failing to pay a number of players on the applicable payment dates due in March 2020, failing to act with utmost good faith in respect of matters with the EFL and for breaching an order, requirement, direction or instruction of the League.

"The Arbitration Panel confirmed that the two-point suspended sporting sanction activated on 19 June 2020 from previous proceedings will stand and in addition the four point deduction, originally suspended in the latest proceedings and only to be activated in the event of a further breach of Regulation 63.7 during season 2020/21, will be activated immediately and applied to the 2019/20 table.

"Today’s outcome leaves Macclesfield Town in 24th position in the table on 19 points with a points per game (PPG) total of 23.62, resulting in the Club’s relegation into the National League.

"The Arbitration panel’s decision is final and binding.

"The EFL will be making no further comment."