THE late postponement of their home UniBond League First Division game with Spalding on Saturday will cost Bishop Auckland at least £500.

The referee called the game off because the pitch was frozen in places, which means that Bishops will have to pay Spalding's travelling expenses when they travel for the re-arranged game later in the season.

Manager Brian Healy said: "It was a real disappointment that we had the game called off, because we wanted three points pretty badly.

"The only good thing about it is, that Spalding might have to come up here in a midweek for the re-arranged game with a weaker team."

Bishops have played just seven league games at home this season, and are facing a fixture pile up with Spennymoor, who have ten home games left in the Northern League, in the New Year.

Whitby were also far from happy with their postponement at Leek Town.

The Seasiders made the journey across the Pennines to Staffordshire, only for the referee to call the game off when they got there.

Blyth are through to the second round of the FA Trophy after they won 2-1 at Warrington Town. The home side took the lead with a shot on the turn by Graeme Mitchell, but Richard Foster levelled with a penalty for Blyth after a handball offence.

The winner came on 51 minutes when Chris McCabe's header hit the crossbar, but the ball dropped for Andrew Leeson to turn home.

In the Premier Division, Gateshead drew 0-0 at home with Radcliffe Borough.