NEWLY-PROMOTED Eastleigh will face Chester instead of Hereford United in the Conference Premier next term.

Hereford have been expelled from the Conference having failed to come up with the finances to settle their bills.

The Bulls pulled off a miracle escape from relegation on the final day of the season to send Chester down.

But Chester are now reinstated, while Hayes & Yeading will stay in the Conference South.

A statement from the Football Conference said: “The board has exercised its unanimous decision that, should the club fail to fulfil the requirements, it would be expelled from the competition and the company under Article 5.2.”

Hereford have yet to confirm whether they will appeal the ruling.

Salisbury City are also under threat of being kicked out. Like Hereford, they were given until 5pm this Thursday to pay all their football creditors.

Hereford reportedly owe over £70,000 to clear the latest PAYE tax demands from Revenue and Customs and £148,000 to football creditors, including former boss and ex-Saint Martin Foyle.