Former Huddersfield Town defender Sean Hessey is celebrating a great escape with Marine.

The Liverpool club, who play in the Northern Premier League top flight, looked set for the first relegation in their 111-year history.

But they have been reprieved thanks to the demise of Salisbury City and a bright run of form since Hessey became manager with 12 games to go.

Salisbury’s removal from the Conference has led to a restructure of various leagues by the Football Association.

Marine escaped the drop as the relegated side at step three of the pyramid with the best record.

A final-day 2-1 win at Blyth Spartans proved crucial for Hessey’s side.

Now 36, the Liverpudlian centre-back made 12 first-team appearances for Town during the 1998-99 season.

He also played for Kilmarnock, Blackpool, the original Chester City, Macclesfield Town, Accrington Stanley, Barrow and Prestatyn Town.

Marine chairman Paul Leary said: “The sequence of events on the last day of the season will be remembered by Marine fans for many years.

“The epic performances of the players in those last 12 games led by Sean Hessey have been rewarded by this reprieve from the Football Association.

“The club’s officials and football management can now start preparations for a much better future.

“We can certainly build on what was achieved by the players at the end of the season.”

The FA reshuffle has also led to a reprieve from relegation to the North West Counties League of Brighouse Town’s NPL First Division North rivals New Mills.