York left counting the cost

York City manager Gary Mills’s hopes of giving debuts to three new signings were put on hold after the tie against Ebbsfleet United was called off two-and-a-half hours before the scheduled 3.0pm kick-off on Saturday because of a frozen pitch.

Both teams were keen to play and the pitch was passed fit on Friday night after a local referee’s inspection, a decision which saw Ebbsfleet make the overnight journey to York.

However, continued frost caused conditions to deteriorate and although Morpeth match referee Richard Clarke was still hopeful at 10.0am on Saturday, a further inspection at 12.30pm resulted in the postponement, the match being rearranged for tomorrow night (7.45pm).

It was a big financial blow to York as Ebbsfleet’s travelling and accommodation costs need to be deducted from the eventual game’s receipts which are shared on a 50-50 basis.

Mills had intended to give newcomers Ben Swallow, Erik Tonne and Chris Doig an outing.