The new rules and regulations Hawks must abide by in the National League South play-offs ...

All clubs involved in the play-offs were told of the decision when they had a video meeting with league officials last Friday.

If games are level at the end of 90 minutes, they will go straight to penalties.

‘It came as a big surprise,’ said Westleigh Park director Trevor Brock.

‘We were told if anyone had any strong feelings about it to write in, so we did.

‘We didn’t think it was a good decision.’

Hawks, though, were one of only three South clubs - out of six - to officially complain, while only one of the six clubs in the North play-offs did likewise.

It is believed Weymouth and Dorking were the other two South clubs, but their voices fell on deaf ears.

Clubs can name six subs for play-off games, and can use five of them - an increase of one and two on regular season matches.

Managers will only be allowed to bring subs on at three intervals, with a maximum of three subs at any one time.

The league have said a substitute goalkeeper should be among the six subs, but that is not enforceable.

At present, Hawks only have one shot-stopper - Ross Worner. They can, however, recall Watford youngster Adam Parkes who was on loan when the season was halted in mid-March.

Anyone who was registered with Hawks when 2019/20 came to an abrupt finish is eligible for the play-offs.

Brock said: ‘There doesn’t seem much point in having five subs if games can’t go to extra time.’

There will also be a drinks break during play-off games, lasting no longer than a minute.

That could be useful for Hawks as their home semi-final against Slough or Dartford has been set for Saturday, July 25, at 3pm. Should they win, the final will also kick off at 3pm the following Saturday, August 1.

Hawks are currently finalising their own matchday protocol document to send off to the National League.

They also need to show it to their local Safety Advisory Group in a meeting to be held this Wednesday.

Home clubs have been told they need to share their matchday protocols with their opponents no later than 84 hours before a game.

The away team must then send their own travel plans to the home club no later than 72 hours before kick off. That must include any details of where the coach is stopping off en route to the ground.

Within 48 hours of kick off, the away team must also provide a list of people they are bringing. This must include players, management, directors and any photographers/social media officials.

The home team must arrive at their ground two hours before kick off, and the away team must arrive 90 minutes before kick off.

When the away team arrives, their team doctor must produce a Covid Declaration Certificate which will allow players and management into the red zone area - basically the pitch and pitchside.

The league have said a maximum of 70 people must be granted red zone access on a matchday.

The media will be given an amber zone pass only, and after-match interviews will be set up whereby managers and/or players are stood in the red zone and those interviewing them will be stood in the amber zone.

Media will have to enter the ground via a different route to that taken by the players.

A 2m social distancing rule will apply to interviews and to everyone watching the game in the amber zone, even though the government have lowered that to 1m in certain situations.

No ball boys will be allowed, and the match officials will have been covid-tested by the Professional Game Match Officials board.

No food or drink will be on sale at grounds, and Hawks’ Westleigh Park pub - which reopened at the weekend - will be shut to deter any fans from visiting the ground.

There had been talk of BT Sport screening the South and North play-offs in addition to showing all the National League games.

But that now won’t happen, with the league looking to stream all the sixth tier games instead.

That will be via a similar system to the iFollow service in use at Pompey and other EFL clubs.

Fans will be asked to watch games on a pay-per-view basis - starting from around £7 for one game. Clubs will receive a percentage of the monies raised via the streaming service.

Hawks returned to training at the weekend for the first time, following a clean bill of health in their first round of covid testing last Thursday.

The club tested 33 people, including directors and groundstaff - basically anyone who will need red zone access on matchdays - and all tests were negative.

They will test again this Thursday, but with less numbers than last week.

*

Brock confirmed that Hawks will have to pay a fee for new signing Tommy Wright.

Paul Doswell returned to former club Sutton last Friday to sign the striker on a three-year contract.

As the player is under 24 - he celebrates his 24th birthday in November - Sutton are liable for compensation as the player was offered a new deal.

Whatever valuation the tribunal comes up with is non-negotiable and there is no right of appeal on either side once a figure has been reached.