Supporters of the Nationwide League club decided to form the breakaway AFC Wimbledon after the Dons were given the green light to move to Milton Keynes.

And they had agreed a deal to groundshare with Kingstonian at their Kingsmeadow Stadium next season.

The group had even enlisted former Wimbledon player Terry Eames as manager.

But their application failed to get the 95% majority vote needed at the Ryman League's annual general meeting last night, 25 years to the day after Wimbledon were elected to the Football League.

"AFC Wimbledon met all our criteria, but the clubs did not vote in their favour," said Ryman League general secretary Nick Robinson.

Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association chairman Kris Stewart said: "We're not sure where we go from here - but we'll have a meeting and have a new plan ready."

Many fans say they will boycott Wimbledon next season after they were given permission to move to Milton Keynes by an independent commission.

Wimbledon chairman Charles Koppel plans to use the National Hockey Stadium as a base for the side before moving to a new purpose-built arena.