LAST MINUTE BLOW FOR REDS AND SADDLERS

THERE was huge disappointment for Alfreton Town and Walsall yesterday lunchtime when their FA Cup second round match was called off less then ten minutes before the scheduled kick-off due to a frozen pitch.

- Tom Blackett

The tie was due to be broadcast on BBC One with 12.30pm start but the match officials deemed the National League North club's surface to be unplayable.

The ground had filled up with fans after volunteers and club staff had worked hard to roll off covers they hoped had prevented the freezing temperatures from affecting the pitch.

However, referee Sam Allison made the deci sion to call the game off just after 12.20pm.

Allison told BBC Radio Derby that the covers had been kept on as long as possible to give the game a chance of going ahead.