ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman and assistant Jimmy Bell joined in with an army of volunteers to clear the snow off the pitch on Boxing Day morning - but it was all to no avail.

The derby clash with Halifax Town was called off by referee James Tatton of Liverpool at around 2pm - leaving the club with an estimated £20,000 loss.

"The ref said he had called it off for safety reasons but the pitch was not a danger to anyone," said Coleman, after the club had put covers on the pitch overnight as well to try and stave off the snow and frost. The referee however said "snow on pitch and freezing conditions" were enough to postpone the eagerly-awaited game.

Coleman continued: "The ref said it was because it might freeze later but we are not mind-readers or weathermen and we don't know what will happen later in the day.

"The people have worked hard all morning clearing the pitch and it is a kick in the teeth for them. It is so disappointing as there would have been a big crowd and you are never going to get the game back and it hurts the club financially.

"And the players had worked hard all week for this game so it is disappointing."

Stanley had hoped to rearrange the clash for New Year's Day - before the two sides meet at Halifax on January 3 - but Shay officials turned it down. A new date is expected to be set in the next few days but it could be as late as February or March now.

And it was a huge blow for the fans who had organised a "Raise Your Scarf" Day but they still hope to hold it at the rearranged match.