Instead of reaching the summit of the UniBond Division One North table with a win in midweek, Avenue actually dropped a place to third as a consequence of their game being postponed.

The Bradford club, still boasting a 100 per cent record under new manager Dave Cameron, would have gone top with a victory at Newcastle Blue Star. On the same night, promotion rivals Skelmersdale United and FC United were stalled by a goalless draw.

That gave Curzon Ashton, who host Avenue on Saturday, the chance to leapfrog Bradford and snatch second spot - but that will only act as a spur for Avenue as they make the short journey over the Pennines.

"I wa seething when I heard our game on Tuesday was off," admitted Cameron, who revealed that one of his players had reached the ground. The feeling was that the game could have gone ahead.

Blue Star share their Kingston Park home with Newcastle Falcons of the Guinness Premiership, so it is well maintained.

The trouble was the unpredictable high winds that were buffeting the north-east on Tuesday.

The officials called the game off because the safety of the players and spectators could not be guaranteed.

Blue Star's recent home fixture against Curzon had to be abandoned just minutes into the game because advertising boards had blown off the structure.

"We can't say too much about it, as you can't argue with speculation," said Cameron, who led Avenue to the March Club of the Month award - a feat his predecessor Benny Phillips managed in November.

"It was a disappointment to us that we couldn't play but maybe it was a blessing in disguise as the players might have needed that rest.

"The little break could be important to the players, who were keen and fresh in training on Wednesday, so every cloud has a silver lining - but it is annoying that Paul Stoneman was not able to serve the second game of his ban.

"He should have been available for this weekend's game but he will be sidelined once more. I have given Paul Gedman the week off to rest his ankle but they are the only two players not available to me.

"Saturday is the start of five games in ten days again, so it is a hectic period. It is my choice to leave Paul out for one game and I will live or die by it and still feel we can get six points from the next two games."

That could be a tall order, as Curzon is followed by a visit from FC United on Monday night - before the small matter of the West Riding County Cup final against Blue Square North neighbours Harrogate Town on Wednesday.