BRADFORD Park Avenue missed out on the opportunity to bounce back after consecutive National League North defeats as their game at home to second-bottom Gainsborough Trinity was called off following a morning pitch inspection.

Mark Bower’s men had suffered back-to-back 2-1 losses, at home against Spennymoor Town and at York City - a result which saw the Minstermen leapfrog Avenue, replacing them in the play-off places in the process.

Bower said: “I wasn’t too surprised when the game was called off.

“Our pitch was frozen when the morning inspection was done. It might have been just about okay by 3pm, but there was ice on the terraces and the surrounding areas of the ground so the decision was made with the safety of the supporters in mind.

“The players wanted to get back on the pitch after the last two games, but we’re not behind with our games so I can’t see it being a problem long term. We haven’t got any midweek games between now and the end of the season so even if we have another couple postponed it’s not a big concern.

“I think it was the right decision overall because although the frost had a grip in the morning, we’ve had a lot of rain and sleet and the pitches are quite soft underneath so it would have cut up badly and been a game in difficult conditions.”

The unscheduled free Saturday was not wasted as Bower put his squad through a rigorous indoor training session. However, it did prevent new signing Antoine Remi Recizac making his Avenue debut.

The 21-year-old is studying at Leeds Trinity University and has been training with Avenue for some weeks. The Frenchman has some experience of football in England following a spell in the North West Counties League with Widnes and some appearances for Stockport County’s reserve side.

Bower added, “With Wayne Brooksby out for four to six weeks with his hamstring injury, we needed cover and Antoine is a similar type of player.

“He is a wide player who has pace and a trick or two to beat his man so we’re happy to welcome him to the squad. He has looked very good in training over the last several weeks – it’s difficult because we don’t have a reserve team and so we can't ease players in, but I think we’ve seen enough to back Antoine to bring something to the squad.”

Meanwhile, Guiseley’s home game against manager Paul Cox’s former club Barrow was called off on Friday evening to prevent the Bluebirds making a wasted journey.

FC Halifax Town’s match against Leyton Orient was only postponed on Saturday morning when the London-based outfit had already travelled. Some fans accepted the invitation to Throstle Nest to watch Farsley play instead.