DARLINGTON must rearrange yet another fixture after this afternoon's Third Division clash with Cambridge was called off due to a frozen Feethams pitch.

The surface was yesterday deemed unplayable after an early-morning pitch inspection, although caretaker manager Mick Tait revealed that the treacherous road conditions in the south had also played some part in cancelling the fixture, which has yet to receive a new date.

"Some of the Cambridge players were apparently struggling to get from their own homes because the weather was so bad," said Tait.

"The roads down there have been even worse by all accounts and I think that's probably played some part.

"The referee had to make a decision before Cambridge set off and after consulting the Football League he had no option."

Quakers have already been forced to rearrange three fixtures this season following postponements against Rochdale and Oxford, while the trip to Swansea on January 4 was scrapped because of Darlington's involvement in the FA Cup.

And Tait, whose side were looking to bounce back after seeing their eight-game unbeaten run in the league come to an end at Torquay last week, would have preferred to have seen today's game get the go-ahead.

"We're all very disappointed to have the game called off especially after we've been building up to it all week," said Tait.

"It would have been better if the game could have been played because the last thing we wanted was another rearranged fixture."

Tait takes his side to Swansea on Tuesday night in the first of their rearranged fixtures.

Striker Glenn Naylor could figure after recovering from a knee injury, although Tait revealed Danny Mellanby is still short of match fitness.

"Danny is making good progress but he still needs a bit of time to build his leg up," said Tait.

"It's a little weak at the moment after his back injury but he should be back soon."

* Striker Richard Offiong, who returned to Newcastle this week after a two-month loan spell at Feethams, has joined Scottish Premier League outfit Motherwell on loan until the end of the season.

Read more about the Quakers here.