The
financially troubled club were suspended last month after breaking financial
rules and could have been made to play outside the fifth or sixth tier after
being refused a licence.
But,
having got new owners, Gateshead have been demoted just one level.
Their
relegation means Aldershot Town will remain in the National League, while Oxford
City will stay in National League South, having originally been switched to the
National League North due to the geography of the promoted clubs.
Gateshead
ended the season in ninth place but were docked nine points to finish in seventeenth.
They were also fined £3,500 at a disciplinary hearing, which also found the
club guilty of failing to obtain security of tenure over their ground. |