A TEST event that would have seen fans allowed back into an EFL ground will no longer admit supporters.

Cambridge United confirmed no spectators would be able to attend Saturday's Sky Bet League Two match against Carlisle United after changes to coronavirus restrictions.

The club had planned for a crowd of 2,000 but after the government halved that figure, it was decided the pilot could not go ahead because of invalid tickets in circulation.

Cambridge did admit supporters to their EFL Trophy match against Fulham Under 21s on Tuesday night, with the game watched by an attendance of 862.

A club statement read: “This is no one’s fault – and everyone recognises that the national situation has changed – but it was felt that we would have been left with too many invalid tickets in circulation for a game where safety has to be the number one priority.

“Even with re-ticketing and regular direct communication to all fans over the next 24 hours, the short timeline means that the club cannot entirely mitigate the risk to fans and stewards of people arriving in good faith for the game with tickets that are invalid and being unable to attend given the reduced capacity.

“Therefore, whilst it is a difficult decision to cancel the pilot, it is the right one in circumstances where we must all prioritise public health and safety.”

Cambridge's Abbey Stadium was previously part of a joint project by the EFL and the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) that looked at the safe application of social distancing at football grounds.