OXFORD United's Checkatrade Trophy tie with Bradford City has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

Referee Dean Whitestone's decision was relaid to supporters at the Kassam Stadium less than ten minutes before the scheduled kick-off time.

United had arranged a pitch inspection yesterday afternoon and this morning due to concerns, but on both occasions it was deemed playable.

However, an area of the playing surface nearest the South Stand was beginning to freeze over during the warm-ups.

U's boss Michael Appleton said: "Everybody’s disappointed, we wanted to play, but as you can see the pitch has deteriorated over the last couple of hours.

"I’m a bit gutted for the travelling fans who have come down, Stuart (McCall, Bradford's manager) and his players, it’s unfortunate.

"But as frustrating as it is I can understand the referee making the decision.

"You have to put the safety of the players first and foremost."

Whitestone indicated there were areas of the pitch which were firm when he arrived at 5.45pm, but it was playable at that stage before conditions worsened.

He said: "There was a bit of firmness and as the evening has gone on, coming out for the warm-up and running up and down it’s clearly frozen.

"Ultimately I’ve got to take the safety of the players into account.

"Was it safe to start the game? No, I’ve had no alternative but to call the game off."

United's players returned to the pitch after the postponement to go through a brief workout on the playable area.

The whole pitch was then covered again, as it was over the weekend. 

The game will be rescheduled for next Tuesday, January 31.