After the vote at the SFL’s annual general meeting on Thursday, Gretna were given until the “very early part” of this week to guarantee they would fulfil their fixtures next season.

A statement from administrators Wilson Field today read: “Gretna has been relegated from the SPL and is currently placed in the Third Division of the SFL.

“We had one late prospect of selling Gretna as a football club but regret that this offer has been withdrawn.

“In the circumstances we anticipate losing Third Division status and our agents have been instructed to also consider offers for the ground from parties outside football.”

Gretna had been expected to go into liquidation today but the latest development means there is still a chance, remote as it may be, of someone buying the club.

It exists in name only and has ceased to trade while all staff were made redundant last month.

The SFL have yet to respond to the move but would have to go through certain procedures to expel Gretna from the league.