Carlisle United will face Stevenage in the new League Two season after an independent panel consigned Macclesfield to relegation.

The Silkmen have been docked further points after upholding an EFL appeal against a previous disciplinary decision.

That sends them into the National League and hands bottom side Stevenage a reprieve.

An EFL statement said today: "An independent Arbitration Panel has upheld the EFL’s appeal in respect of the outcome of an independent Disciplinary Commission who in June 2020 had considered misconduct charges brought against Macclesfield Town.

"The charges related to failing to pay a number of players on the applicable payment dates due in March 2020, failing to act with utmost good faith in respect of matters with the EFL and for breaching an order, requirement, direction or instruction of the League.

"The Arbitration Panel confirmed that the two-point suspended sporting sanction activated on 19 June 2020 from previous proceedings will stand and in addition the four point deduction, originally suspended in the latest proceedings and only to be activated in the event of a further breach of Regulation 63.7 during season 2020/21, will be activated immediately and applied to the 2019/20 table.

"Today’s outcome leaves Macclesfield Town in 24th position in the table on 19 points with a points per game (PPG) total of 23.62, resulting in the club’s relegation into the National League.

"The Arbitration panel’s decision is final and binding.

"The EFL will be making no further comment."

Macclesfield said they would "provide further comment in due course".