Horsham may not be allowed to take part in the Ryman League play-offs unless they solve their groundshare problem.

League officials have given them until March 31 to finalise a groundsharing agreement.

If they do not, they will have to rely on the discretion of the league as to whether they take part in the play-offs if they finish in the top five.

Hornets' plans were thrown into disarray last week when their proposed share with Crawley next season collapsed.

Club officials are now looking at alternatives as they prepare to leave Queen Street, which will stage its last game on April 19 against Billericay.

Ryman League chairman Alan Turvey said: "In some cases there is discretion but the clubs who have met the deadlines, which the FA set for ground grading purposes, don't like another who haven't from benefiting. We have to protect other clubs.

"We want to help Horsham. They've asked us for ideas and we have suggested they consider talking to people in their conurbation about sharing like Horsham YMCA, which is a ground that can be brought up to standard.

"Everyone has sympathy for Horsham but why have they left things so late? We met them on February 11 but they could have come to us before then? The problem is of Horsham's making. You don't sell your house if you haven't got somewhere to move into."

Mike Appleby, the FA's Leagues manager, said the play-off deadline is unlikely to be extended.

He said: "We are not accepting any excuses about the deadline. Clubs have known about it for a long time.

"Crawley would have been more than acceptable for Horsham and us. Worthing, who have played in the premier division, have the grading.

"The share has to be in Horsham's conurbation. That rule was brought in to avoid a repeat of a situation like Wimbledon moving to Milton Keynes."