Accrington Stanley v Hartlepool United in doubt for a second time

Pools are due to visit Stanley tomorrow night in a re-arranged fixture after the original match was washed out back on November 24 just minutes before kick-off.

And there are serious doubts already after Accrington’s home game against Portsmouth on Saturday was called off because of a frozen pitch.

The Crown Ground was covered overnight in an attempt to protect it from frost, only for referee Trevor Kettle to rule it too dangerous to play on.

Luckless Accrington have not played at home since November 14 when a match against Newport ended 2-2 in very difficult conditions.

With temperatures not predicted to get much above freezing in Lancashire hopes of getting enough thaw appear slim.

Stanley had tried moving heaven and earth to get their big promotion battle with Portsmouth on.

A statement on their website thanked “a huge effort from staff, contractors, supporters and volunteers this week to ensure that this game went ahead, from relaying drains to covering the pitch with a double layer of covers.

“Accrington Stanley would like to thank everyone that has helped.

“We share your frustrations, and those of the travelling supporters, at the loss of another home game.”

Like Pools, Accrington have three to four matches in hand on rivals in and around them in the table.

For all their misfortune with the weather, John Coleman’s side are seventh in League Two, nine points behind the automatic promotion spots.