The match will have to be staged again on February 6 after the RFU North Competitions Committee's decision to order the re-match following an inquiry.

Crocs won the game, which was played on November 14, 36-27. However, that result will no longer stand after the RFU intervened following discussions with Carlisle officials.

The Cumbrian side had been leading the game 27-20 when Crocs ran out of front row forwards prompting the referee to go to uncontested scrums.

The Broomfield side went on to overhaul the deficit and run out winners after adding a converted try and three penalties to their tally.

However, based on information received from both clubs, the match cards and referee Colin Tovey, the RFU committee invoked an RFU ruling on the matter which led them to declare that the game was effectively abandoned at the time of switching to uncontested scrums, which the referee confirmed.

Crocs official Geoff Seymour said that the decision has come out of the blue but the club had accepted it and were happy to host Carlisle again in February.

"We had a situation of uncontested scrums in the game which Old Crossleyans ultimately went on to win," said Seymour.

"But there was uncertainty on an off the field as to whether we should have forfeited a player at that stage.

"We didn't do that and nobody seemed to notice until later in the game. It was only after the final whistle that everything came to light.

"There was a RFU inquiry and it has been deemed neccessary to replay the game."