OXFORD United and Bradford City were left kicking their heels last night after their Checkatrade Trophy quarterfinal was postponed minutes before kick-off.

The Kassam Stadium pitch had passed inspections on Monday afternoon and yesterday morning after being covered over the weekend.

Referee Dean Whitestone looked at it when he arrived at 5.45pm and found an area nearest the South Stand to be firm, but playable, at that stage.

However, during the prematch preparations it became clear the conditions had changed and were only going to worsen throughout the evening.

Whitestone said: “When we arrived there was an area of firmness and when we came out for the warm-up it was apparent it had deteriorated substantially.

“It caused me a concern, there’s a safety issue.

“We have to take as many factors into consideration as possible.

“I spoke to the groundsman and there have been two pitch inspections.

“It’s not an exact science how long we leave it.

“You have to make a decision and at this point it was about 7.25pm.

Oxford Mail:

  • Oxford United supporters Alan Mawby (left) and Barry Yates are not impressed at the late postponement of last night’s game

“It’s disappointing. Everyone was here and it’s not an ideal situation, but I can’t risk someone getting injured by starting the game on a frozen pitch.

“It’s unsafe and I’ve got no alternative.”

While it gives United a free week to prepare for Saturday’s Emirates FA Cup fourth round tie at home to Newcastle United, the postponement did not suit head coach Michael Appleton.

It has been rearranged for next Tuesday, meaning it will come between the cup tie with the Magpies and the derby trip to Swindon Town.

He said: “I can assure you we wanted the game on, because we’ve got that many coming up.

“God forbid if we took Newcastle to a replay as well, although I’m sure the chairman will be delighted, then it would become congested.

“We’ll have to go and do it again next Tuesday.

“Hopefully the weather will be a bit better between now and the weekend so we can get the Newcastle game on and this again next Tuesday.”

Despite the headache of the rearrangement and the issue of the decision coming so close to kick-off, Appleton was in no doubt the correct outcome had been reached.

He said: “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 because if any of them land heavily on this part of the pitch it’s very dangerous.”

The one silver lining was with Chris Maguire, who was named among the substitutes but felt an aggravation in the warm-up of a thigh injury he picked up in Saturday’s 4-0 win at Rochdale.

The extra rest may help get the Scot back in contention for the Newcastle game.

United’s other players underwent a brief training session on a softer section of the pitch after the postponement was announced.

In the two quarter-final matches to beat the weather, Wycombe Wanderers beat Mansfield Town 2-1 and Coventry City saw off Swansea City Under 21s on penalties.