GRAVESEND secretary Roly Edwards insisted that plunging temperatures left match referee Steve Tomlinson with no choice but to call off Tuesday’s home game against Grays Athletic.

It was the second Fleet home game in 26 days to fall victim of inclement weather after Crawley’s visit on Friday, December 30 was postponed owing to the flooded state of the pitch.

Mr Tomlinson took the decision at 4.45pm following two inspections, having been alerted by Mr Edwards who had become concerned at its frozen state.

He said: "I called in at the ground at 8am when the pitch was white. By 11am it was still rock hard at the covered end, though by 1pm, after the sun had come out, I

would have said that it was playable.

"Had the kick-off been at 3pm the game would have been played. But as soon as the sun went down at 4pm and the temperature dropped, I had my doubts, but more important, so did the referee who had arrived early.

"He was left with no option but to call it off because the safety of the players is of paramount importance."

The postponement denied Fleet the opportunity to move within five points of the Nationwide Conference play-off zone – had they avenged their early-season 6-1 mauling by their Essex opponents.

The club must now re-arrange Tuesday’s game plus the scheduled February 4 home game against Hereford, who are still involved in the FA Trophy. The Kent Senior Cup home tie against Dover will be played on Monday, February 6.

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