YORK City's trip to Shrewsbury Town today was called off because of a waterlogged pitch.

The game fell casualty to heavy overnight rain when match referee Paul Rejer of Leamington Spa carried out an inspection shortly after the City party set off.

But the Minstermen's coach had not even reached the outskirts of York before they were informed the match had been postponed.

The game has now been re-arranged for Tuesday, April 24, which means City will have to face two gruelling long-haul trips in the space of five days.

On the Saturday following the trek to Shropshire manager Terry Dolan's charges are in action at relegation-threatened rivals Torquay United.

It is the seventh game City have lost either to the weather or cup commitments this season, but there was a doubt over the trip to Shropshire after the area was deluged by heavy overnight rain.

The water table in Shrewsbury, where the Shrews' Gay Meadow stadium is built alongside the River Severn, is full to the brim.

Back in York there were two casualties in the amateur rugby league programme.

Heworth's National Conference first division game at home to Millom was called off because of a water-logged pitch, while New Earswick All-Blacks' second division clash at home to London Skolars was KO'd when it was discovered the relegation-haunted club from the capital had dramatically resigned from the League last night.

Updated: 10:52 Saturday, April 07, 2001