ACCRINGTON Stanley chairman Eric Whalley today expressed his disappointment at the decision to block proposals for a fairer system of promotion between the Nationwide Conference and the Football League.

Conference clubs had presented plans for a two-up, two-down system at the Football League's AGM last week.

But the Football League chairmen decided to vote against the proposals on the grounds that there wasn't enough provision made to protect the clubs who were relegated.

That decision came as a blow to Whalley, who is hoping to lead Stanley back into the top-flight of non-League football next season.

But the Crown Ground supremo admits he would have done something similar himself, had he been in the Football League's position.

"I wasn't too surprised by it, to be honest," said Whalley.

"If we'd been in their position as a league club then I think we would have done exactly the same.

"You can't blame people for being a little bit selfish in not allowing an extra team in.

"I think it was a bit naive from the Conference clubs anyway to expect the Football Association and the Government to help them as much as they thought.

"It took them years to get just one club accepted in the first place so this was never going to be straight forward.

"But, having said all that, I'm obviously disappointed because we are hoping to get into the Conference ourselves next year and it would have been easier to make the next step having two places to go for."

Now the Conference are likely to have to tweak their plans to make them more appealing.

And Whalley believes the possible introduction of some play-offs or a Conference Second Division may well tip the balance.

"I thought they might at least have agreed to a play-off with a Conference club," said Whalley.

"People have seen that they work in the league and they seem to generate a great deal of interest.

"I know the UniBond First Division are introducing play-offs next year so why can't they introduce them between the Football League and the Conference?

"I think the overall answer, though, would be for the Conference to create a Second Division.

"If that was to happen then it might just put a bit of extra pressure on the League clubs then."

Meanwhile, Reds boss John Coleman was hoping to step up his bid to land a defender from a fellow UniBond club today.