York City are facing a fixture backlog following the cancellation of tomorrow's home game against Bristol Rovers early today, writes Tony Curtis.

After a pitch inspection referee Craig Barker, who was originally held up in traffic en route from Leeds, was left in no doubt that the Division Three game should not go ahead.

With conditions expected to worsen tonight and the Bootham Crescent pitch already suffering from frost and standing water in places, the match was always in doubt.

Opponents Bristol Rovers were due to set off today with an overnight stay planned in York in preparation for the clash, so the early decision has prevented the Pirates making a fruitless trip from the west country.

Minstermen boss Terry Dolan agreed that it was the right decision that the match should be postponed after he accompanied the referee on to the pitch.

"There are seven or eight places where it is dangerous. I think the referee made the right decision," declared the City boss.

York City now have 13 games left to play in seven weeks, leaving them with virtually two games a week.

The season is set to end on April 20 and if further games are postponed and the season is now extended the Minstermen could be playing three games a week.

Updated: 10:46 Friday, March 01, 2002