Oxford United fans heaved a collective sigh of relief at the club’s five-point deduction yesterday — despite the fact it could cost the U’s a play-off place.

Season ticket-holders said the punishment — less than half the feared 11-point penalty for fielding an unregistered player, Eddie Hutchinson — would kill off any lingering dreams of promotion, but would not pitch the club into a relegation battle.

Fans remained split on the future of club secretary Mick Brown, the man responsible for the registration of players.

The club maintains Mr Brown sent Mr Hutchinson’s registration by standard post. However, the Football Conference authorities said they never received any letter from the club concerning Mr Hutchinson.

Mr Brown, club chairman Kelvin Thomas and Graham Bean, of Football Factors, spent two hours at a Football Conference disciplinary panel meeting in Birmingham yesterday.

The three were told the club would have five points deducted, be fined £500 and face another £3,500 fine — suspended until 2010 — for failing to correctly register the midfielder.

Last night, season ticket-holder Jamie French, 25, from Abingdon, said: “I would have taken five points before, bearing in mind it could have been 11. The fine is fairly small as well.

“But it is dreadful for morale. It doesn’t help the players if they are trying to win matches and lose points for an administrative error.”

Sean Cleaver, 23, of Headington, said: “This is just a kick in the teeth.

“Whoever was accountable should put their hands up. It is heartbreaking and that is probably the end of our push towards the play-offs.”

One supporter compared the cock-up to a debacle in 2002 that saw fans walking out of an Oxford United game so they could buy tickets for an FA Cup tie with Arsenal, which were on sale at the same time, and a decision to give Leyton Orient fans the entire North Stand when the U’s faced a crunch relegation game in 2006.

A call to an Oxford post office revealed the club could have sent Hutchinson’s registration documents by special delivery for £4.60, which would have enabled a club representative to track the documents’ whereabouts.

South Stand regular Anthony Ashmore, 56, said: “It could have been worse. It brings an end to any lingering hope of the play-offs. What you hope is it doesn’t so damage morale that it sends the club further down the table.

“Mick Brown is a guy who has given most of his working life to the club. Even if he has made a mistake I hope it can all be put behind him and he can carry on.”

Trevor Lambert, chairman of supporter’s group OxVox, said: “I think a lot of people would have thought the likely outcome was the full 11-point penalty.

“There is a degree of relief that it’s not as bad as that, but on the other hand points lost for something like this is not a happy situation at all.”

In an official statement, Mr Thomas said: “We are deeply disappointed with the penalty imposed and feel there are major issues surrounding the administrative procedures of the league which must be addressed.

“A decision to appeal will be made within the 14-day time frame allowed, once we have considered the full written reasons of the panel.”

The club refused to comment on Mr Brown’s position.

ghamilton@oxfordmail.co.uk