Steven King has spoken about his huge relief after having a six-month ban from all football reduced.

The Football Association yesterday upheld Lewes manager King's appeal and cut the original sentence to a two-month touchline ban.

King was handed a six-month suspension in June as a result of an incident at Weymouth at the end of last season when he was reported for foul and abusive language towards the referee.

The ban meant he could not manage the club in any way, either at training or on matchdays, and could have put his future at the club into doubt. It had been set aside pending yesterday's appeal.

Although King had a history of clashes with referees and already had a four-match suspended ban hanging over him, he argued the sentence for swearing at a referee was excessively unfair.

He was represented by two lawyers and Lewes director Steve White in Soho yesterday and the FA appeal board of two men and one woman agreed the sentence was unfair.

King said: "This is a massive relief. It has been hanging over me for two months and has been a real worry.

"I am happy it has been overturned. I have made comments that have been out of line but I am not a monster.

"I felt I had to appeal because the sentence was too much for what happened.

"When we put our evidence to the appeal board, which they hadn't had in the first place, they obviously felt it was a little harsh."

King will now start a touchline ban on September 1 which will run until October 31. He will not be in the dug-out for ten matches, assuming Lewes progress in the FA Cup, six for the latest offence and four for the suspended sentence hanging over him.