Stranraer face the prospect of Scottish Cup expulsion and losing out on a money-spinning trip to face Rangers at Ibrox after fielding an ineligible player in Tuesday’s win over Queen’s Park.
A Scottish FA disciplinary hearing will take place on 28 January to examine the case of Lyndon Tas’ involvement, with the on-loan Hearts goalkeeper having saved a penalty in the shootout after a 1-1 draw at Stair Park.
The 17-year-old was recruited on the day of the game, which had been called off on Saturday because of a waterlogged pitch.
Cup rules state that only players registered for the original date can play in the event of postponements, abandonments or replays.
The governing body can sanction emergency loans but say the move for Tas did not get such approval.
The League Two club say they “acted quickly in good faith” to sign Tas, explaining that a bid to extend a previous loan agreement for Josh Lane was refused by Hamilton Academical.
If Stranraer are ejected, Queen’s Park would take their place in the fifth round, with the Championship side having stunned Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox in last year’s competition.
In 2023, Queen’s Park were expelled from the Scottish Cup after fielding an ineligible player, also brought in on loan from Hearts after an initial postponement, against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, who went on to reach the final after being readmitted.