Local referee, Ian Crouch, was called in to inspect The Valley pitch and the match was postponed just after 9.00am this morning.

In truth, with the overnight pitchside temperature dropping to a lower than expected minus six, the decision was little more than a formality.

Hopefully, the early decision prevented most fans embarking on a wasted journey.

No decision has yet been made on an alternative date for the game but clubs are required to stage them as soon as possible. The first two available dates are 21 February and 13 March, so the game could be arranged fairly quickly.

Sheffield United’s game at Colchester fell foul of the weather yesterday but the game at the Galpharm between Huddersfield and MK Dons, as well as Sheffield Wednesday’s match against Yeovil at Hillsborough have survived.