Chairman Dave Walters has hit back at accusations that Hastings United did not use money earned in their historic FA Cup run to try to avoid relegation.

United were relegated from Ryman premier on Thursday night after they lost 1-0 at East Thurrock and fellow strugglers Wingate and Finchley produced a shock 3-2 win over Lowestoft Town.

Walters said: “I don’t go on these social media sites but I get told things and all the accusations are about where the FA Cup money has gone.

“Anybody with half a brain would know that a lot of it has gone on the players we brought in on deadline day.

“We got in Dan East from Brighton, a professional footballer and they don’t come cheap. Freddie Warren from Barnet, another professional, Alassane N’Diaye, who played 38 games for Crystal Palace, and Gareth Williams, another former professional.

“We have thrown money at it frankly. Ironically, in the past when we haven’t had money, we have survived.

“This time we have thrown money at it and look what’s happened.”

Walters admits the club’s Cup run, which ended in a third round loss at Middlesbrough, may have been a factor in United’s loss of form.

But he added: “Every year clubs get relegated. None are happy or want it. It’s how you deal with it. It’s easy dealing with a Cup run or promotions. Now we have to see how we cope with this.”