The weather prevented Eccleshill United from a quick return to action following last weekend’s bitter defeat as last night’s Toolstation Northern Counties East League Cup ties were postponed.

The Eagles are chasing automatic promotion in Division One and they were looking to test themselves against top-tier opposition in last night’s second-round tie.

Sean Regan’s men were due to travel to Athersley Recreation, who are mid-table in the Premier Division, but the pitch at the Barnsley-based club’s Sheerien Park was waterlogged.

Eccleshill would have been top of Division One had they won Saturday’s home game but they were beaten 3-2 by fifth-placed Selby Town, despite Eagles skipper Sam Bradley twice netting equalisers against the Robins.

They will have to look to get back to winning ways again this weekend when they travel to Grimsby Borough – the club immediately below the second-placed Eagles in the table.

The new date for last night’s cup tie is Wednesday February 7.

The other two matches shelved last night were third-round ties, and they have been re-scheduled for February 21, so should the Eagles be successful against Athersley they could face a rapidly-arranged tie in the next round.