GILLINGHAM groundsman Billy Wood was today racing against the clock and the elements in a bid to save Saturday's FA Cup, third round, tie against Sheffield Wednesday and avoid a third consecutive match postponement at Priestfield.

Not since the heavy snows of the early 1960s has the club experienced three straight home postponements but continued heavy rain threatened to send the cup tie the way of the league matches against Wimbledon and the New Year's Day encounter against Norwich.

The loss of a third home match would place a huge strain on the club's finances after playing just one home match in December.

Gillingham player-manager Andy Hessenthaler is desperate to play Saturday's Cup tie.

He said: "You can't afford to miss too many games, that's why we're desperate to play on Saturday. When you miss games it can start to affect performances and it's the last thing we want after a good run."