Darlington's game at York City was postponed with both sets of players standing on the waterlogged Bootham Crescent pitch.

In scenes reminiscent of the waterlogged days at Darlington two seasons ago, the match officials inspected the pitch and then called the game off less than 90 minutes before the scheduled start.

Manager Gary Bennett, who was intending to rest Martin Gray, Andy Collett, Neil Aspin and Thomas Butler, said: "A lot of rain fell in an hour and the pitch was very bad down one side.

"The referee had a ball with him and it wouldn't bounce properly on some areas of the pitch.

"It would have been a mockery for both sides if the match had started and there would have been a big risk of injuries, something which neither side could afford for Saturday."

The game has been pencilled in for next Tuesday subject to both clubs reaching a final agreement today.

Quakers reserves are due at Blackpool this afternoon, but that game is also subject to a morning pitch inspection.

l Hartlepool United will this morning contact their Scunthorpe counterparts to try and rearrange a new date for last night's postponed LDV Vans Trophy tie.

The Victoria Park game was called off by Shotley Bridge referee Colin Webster an hour before the scheduled 7.30 kick-off after rain was standing on the playing surface.

Pool hoped to fix the game for next Tuesday, but visiting boss Brian Laws last night indicated he was unwilling to rearrange it for then following his side's FA Cup clash with Brighton on Saturday. The Iron do not have a game fixed for next Tuesday, but the date could be utlisied if a Cup replay is necessary.

There were no plans for an inspection at 4pm yesterday, but the referee on arrival two hours later checked the state of the pitch and with no let up in the rain called it off 30 minutes later.

Pool boss Chris Turner was planning to make wholesale changes from last Saturday's win over Southend, with only Micky Barron, Chris Westwood, Tommy Miller and Mark Tinkler staying in the side.

That meant goalkeeper Martin Hollund was in the line-up for the first time since the home defeat to Shrewsbury on September 2 and recalls for Lee Fitzpatrick, James Sharp, Darren Knowles and Adam Boyd. Striker Anth Lormor, now recovered from knee trouble, was on the bench