King's Lynn Town have felt the wrath of the FA for their furious reaction to exiting one of the part-time game's most prestigious cup competitions.

Linnets' supporters and officials were livid at referee Anthony Da Costa's roundly-criticised display during November's 1-0 home loss to Harrogate Town in the FA Trophy. That anger spilled over at the final whistle with chairman Buster Chapman and kitman Richard Simper airing their grievances at the man in the middle.

The Linnets chief has been hit hardest for his tirade with a £225 fine and one-match stadium suspension – which means he can't attend the club's home game against Rushall Olympic on Saturday – being dished out after he was charged with improper conduct as a result of confronting Da Costa.

Chapman, who denied the charge, said: 'My emotions were running high as we'd been totally robbed. What sort of chairman would I be if I wasn't angry and upset about what happened during the game?

'I was so disappointed for the supporters as we deserved to win that game. The ref caused all of the problems with his performance, comments and mannerisms after the game. Everybody could see that. Yet it's the club that gets punished. It's bang out of order. The size of the fines are ridiculous. It's hard enough keeping a non-league team afloat as it is without these stupid fines. The FA are killing the sport, especially at our level, they really are.'

Club stalwart Simper – fined £150 – was also punished for breaching the same Rule E3. He was accused of not only using abusive and/or insulting words but failing to give his name to the match official and admitted the charge. A two-match touchline ban, which has been extended to the dressing rooms, begins this weekend.

An incident in the players' tunnel, described as a mass confrontation, has also seen Town – who play in the Evo-Stik Premier Division, three tiers below the Football League, warned about its future conduct for failing to control their players and officials.

Lynn were told they must pay an additional £400 after falling foul of Rule E20(a) during that incident.

The FA's misconduct report

Buster Chapman: Breach of Rule E3 – Using language and/or behaviour amounting to improper conduct. Charge denied. Result: Proven, one-match stadium suspension and £225 fine.

King's Lynn Town: Breach of Rule E20(a) – Club failed to ensure that its players and/or officials conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and/or refrained from provocative behaviour. Charge admitted. Result: Warned to future conduct and fined £400.

Richard Simper: Two breaches of Rule E3, including refusal to give his name to an official. Charge admitted. Result: Two-match touchline ban (extended to dressing rooms). Fine of £150.