Rochdale player Kevin McIntyre (right) gets shovelling but efforts are in vain

Gillingham face another weekend without a game after the wintry weather forced the postponement of Saturday’s game at Rochdale.

It is the third time in five weeks that bad weather had led to a game being called off.

Games over Christmas at York and at home to Northampton were wiped out to due to waterlogged pitches.

Rochdale had their pitch at Spotland under covers in the early part of the week, and an army of volunteers - including first team players such as Bobby Grant (pictured left) - have been working hard to clear it over the last 24 hours, in preparation for the weekend.

But freezing temperatures and more snow have led the club to make an early decision.

The Gills first team were due to set off early on Friday morning but will now have to wait until next weekend to return to action, when they host York City.

A new date for the match will be announced in the coming days.

Many sporting fixtures are due to fall victim to the weather this weekend, with Lordswood’s much-anticipated trip to Spennymoor in the fourth round of the FA Vase being postponed and re-scheduled for next weekend.

Dartford's Blue Square Bet Premier trip to Hereford has also been postponed.

Pictures courtesy of Rochdale FC.