A second home postponement of the season has been defended by second year ref Gavin Ward

Saturdays referee Gavin Ward has had to defend his decision to call of Citys clash with darlington with just an hour to go before kick off.

Ward claimed he had no option but to the game on safety grounds. He blamed a frozen area of the pitch close to the touchline in front of the Co-op stand.

Ward told Radio Lincolnshire: "There are areas which were still frozen and although the club have had heaters on it, it hasn't thawed enough. It was a difficult decision but player safety has to come first."

The decision wasn't popular amongst either sets of fans, nor the management of both sides.

Ward added: "Based on the weather forecast I could not have made an earlier decision to prevent Darlington travelling. Most of the pitch has thawed out but there is still an area of concern. It is a relatively small area and although both managers wanted the game to go ahead, my priority has to be the players' safety."

Lincoln manager Peter Jackson said: "It's frustrating. At 12 o'clock you would have said it was playable but when we came back at 1330 he took the decision that perhaps less than ten yards of the pitch which doesn't get the sun on it was unplayable."

However the extended break allows Geoff Horsfield to edge closer to fitness, and gives Jackson the opportunity to add to his squad after attempts to lure Tom newey to Sincil Bank failed.

Despite this Jackson was clear that he had wanted the game to be played, as did his opposite number.