SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster has been accused of being "disrespectful" to the Lowland League by Kelty Hearts.

The New Central Park club rounded on quotes attributed to Mr Doncaster in a national newspaper earlier this week in relation to the cancellation of play-off competitions in Scotland.

As winners of the Lowland League, Kelty would have been due to face Highland League champions Brora Rangers over two games, with the winners facing League Two's bottom club - Brechin City- in a two-leg pyramid play-off final.

That has been scrapped but, in response to an interview with Mr Doncaster conducted earlier this week, Kelty described some of his comments as "negligent".

In a strongly-worded statement, they said: "We would like to clear up some misinformation from Neil Doncaster's Q&A with Keith Jackson that was printed in the Daily Record today, Monday 11th May, on page 54.

"Mr Doncaster answers to the question that asks how the SPFL can justify denying Brora Rangers and Kelty Hearts a chance at promotion to the SPFL: 'I don't understand that because it's not just the pyramid play-offs that have been cancelled, it's all the play-offs, including the play-offs between the bottom of the Lowland League and the leagues below.

"It's not a unique situation to the pyramid play-offs. It's all play-offs in Scotland. Had there been automatic relegation then Brechin would have been relegated. But it was only ever a play-off and all play-offs in all divisions of the SPFL have been cancelled.'

"This is not true, the Lowland League doesn't have a "play-off at the bottom of the Lowland League", it's automatic relegation for the bottom club, which this year due to Covid-19 the Lowland League have declared no club will be relegated.

"The only play-off is to get into the Lowland League from East of Scotland and South of Scotland league winners, this play-off has only one eligible club to compete, Bo'ness United (East of Scotland League Premier Division winners).

"The Lowland League, and its clubs, have made a contingency plan that will see Bo'ness United promoted upon them receiving their SFA licence in June, as all clubs in the Lowland League require to be SFA licenced.

"NO play-offs have been cancelled outwith the SPFL, and we strongly believe there is a four-way agreement to cancel the "pyramid play-off". It's little wonder we feel, like many others, that there's a complete disregard to the pyramid and its structure.

"For someone who is on both the SPFL and SFA board to help drive the whole game forward, we find it somewhat disrespectful and negligent."

If Bo'ness United are promoted, Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts – as the best, second-place team out of both First Division conferences – will take their place, joining conference winners Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, and Tynecastle, in an expanded 18-team East of Scotland League Premier Division.