Charlton’s game at Chesterfield was called off just after 10.00am on Saturday, the pitch was frozen and unplayable.

Quite why an inspection did not take place until 10.00am is unclear. By this time, many Charlton fans were on their way. Here’s what the Spireites had to say:

“We are very disappointed after all the hard work put in by the groundstaff but the extreme overnight temperature was the one aspect we had no control over.

“If the match had been played on Friday, it would have gone ahead, so it was right to make a further assessment today but unfortunately we have been thwarted by the overnight weather and we are sorry for the obvious disruption that this has now caused,” said B2Net Stadium manager, Colin Nellist.

Premier League assistant referee, Glenn Turner, inspected the pitch on Friday and was happy enough with it at that stage:

“My primary concern is the safety of the players and at the moment the pitch is playable. The match referee will need to make an assessment on Saturday depending on what happens overnight,” commented Turner.

However, the predicted bitterly cold night saw temperatures plummet to minus 10, making the decision for match official, Colin Webster, a formality.

Chris Powell sounded far from confident about the game going ahead when the Addicks travelled north on Friday afternoon. Powell said this after the game was called off:

“It wasn’t a surprise because of the weather and the way the temperature had dropped.

“We knew there was a real possibility that the game would be in doubt because of the cold snap that the country is having but hopefully the decision came at a time where the majority of our supporters have not travelled up.

“You know its going to warm up during the day but last night it was minus 10 and minus 11 in the East Midlands area where we were staying so we knew we would have a problem.

“We are really sad as we were raring to go, ready to play and get back to playing and winning games, which is what we like to do.

“It’s a shame but the safety of players and supporters is always paramount and we move on now to MK Dons and when this game is rearranged we will come back up here and be ready for it again,” said the manager.

Huddersfield’s game at Orient was another victim of the weather and the Terriers remain nine points behind the Addicks having played a game more.

Sheffield United scored three goals in the last quarter of their match against Wycombe at Bramall Lane to move within eight points of the Addicks, both sides having played 28 games.

St James Park also staged a game that sparked in to life in the last 25 minutes. Jermaine Johnson gave Sheffield Wednesday the lead but Exeter hit back with goals from Billy Jones and David Noble to snatch the three points. The Owls have now played two more matches than Charlton and trail the Addicks by seven points.

Tuesday – weather permitting – will see some mouth watering matches involving the top six. Charlton host Milton Keynes Dons, Sheffield United travel to the Galpharm to face Huddersfield while Sheffield Wednesday entertain Stevenage.

Charlton will be hoping the cold snap ends quickly to ensure Tuesday’s game at The Valley goes ahead.