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Aldershot Town has been saved from relegation after the FA rejected Gateshead FC's appeal against expulsion from the National League.

The Shots had been left in limbo after finishing last season in the first relegation spot thanks to the league's decision to deny Gateshead a licence to play in the National League next season over financial irregularities.

The decision meant Gateshead would be relegated to the National League North while Aldershot stayed up, but the Northumberland club appealed to the FA prolonging the uncertainty for both clubs.

But at the league's AGM on Saturday (June 8) it was announced that Gateshead's appeal had failed and Aldershot would remain in the Motorama National League for the 2019/20 season.

The club declined to comment on the news, but chairman Shahid Azeem has previously told SurreyLive that uncertainty about Aldershot's future had made planning for the upcoming season difficult.

"We don't know what is going to happen in the next few weeks but at the moment we are relegated and that's what we are planning for, but with one eye on the Gateshead situation," he said on May 8, before the Tynesiders lost their National League licence.

Several Aldershot fans tweeted to say they felt sympathy for relegated Gateshead, but hoped their club would take the opportunity presented by the reprieve.

One, Matt North, wrote: "As an @OfficialShots fan I sincerely wish you all @GatesheadFC the very best wishes after today's announcement. In my view your team from last year was the best Gateshead side I've seen at the Shots and it is an injustice to that team and your fans this decision has been made."