TONY Armstrong has called on the Ridgeons League to change its rules after his Harwich and Parkeston side were forced to play a Histon Reserves outfit packed with Blue Square South players.

Harwich lost the game 2-0 on Thursday, and caretaker boss Armstrong has been left bemused by the league's rules which allow Histon and other club's with reserve teams in the Ridgeons League to play as many first-team players as they like.

Armstrong told the Gazette ahead of tonight's clash with Wroxham at The Royal Oak: "I am not amused.

"I saw the team-sheet from their match against Crawley the week before and all four substitutes started, plus three from the team and one who was coming back from injury so there were eight conference level players playing and that is not right.

"Histon have one of the best pitches in the league, yet they keep having reserve fixtures called off on Saturday's.

"The league needs to bring a rule in as Ridgeons League players should not be playing against Conference level players.

"However, my main concern right now is getting us out of trouble."

Histon chairman Gareth Baldwin hit back at Armstrong's claims.

He said: "We did against Harwich exactly as we have done against all our opponents in the Ridgeons League - absolutely nothing different.

"Our five substitutes from our first-team game against Crawley Town on Tuesday night played, as did Craig Pope who is coming back from injury, and Erkan Okay.

"Last season the Ridgeons League commented on how happy they were with the way we at Histon treat reserve games.

"I don't know what Harwich are complaining about - they are not going to get relegated."

Armstrong was left pleased with the way his side acquitted themselves and he is hoping they can do the same tonight against a Wroxham side which still has a chance of winning the title.

"We restricted Histon well and the performance was first-class," he said.

"We are not frightened of taking on Wroxham as we seem to raise our game against the clubs who are doing well.

"This is a big game for both of us as we need another three points to get to safety."