SPL: Computer error rules out Maybury

Hearts will have to do without Alan Maybury against Rangers because of a computing error by the Scottish Football Association.

The defender, who had been sent off against Livingston, was supposed to have completed a two-match suspension against Dunfermline.

But Hearts were not informed by the Scottish Football Association that Maybury was not eligible and instead he took part in the 1-1 draw.

An SFA spokesman told the Edinburgh Evening News: "The dismissal against Livingston took the player through the threshold and meant he had to serve a two-match ban.

"However, due to a hiccup in the computer system this only came to light at the end of last week.

"We had two systems up and running at the same time and it wasn't noticed until Friday afternoon.

"But because it wasn't any fault of Hearts we didn't want to disrupt their preparations for the game at Dunfermline at such short notice.

"Alan Maybury therefore still has one game of his suspension to serve and will now do so when Hearts play Rangers on Saturday at Tynecastle."

Hearts manager Craig Levein added: "It is not ideal, but we will just get on with things and prepare accordingly for Saturday."