The green shoots of recovery for Avenue's season were lost under a covering of snow this week when a frustrating midweek postponement left them kicking their heels.

Following last Saturday's excellent 3-1 victory over leaders Southport, the players were bursting to get back into the thick of the action. But the weather intervened on Wednesday.

"Things looked a lot rosier after the win over Southport and enthusiasm was very high among the players," said Avenue manager Carl Shutt.

"The three points didn't lift us off the bottom of the table but six points in the week would have made the situation a lot better. I think we would have got that second win if the game had gone ahead in midweek.

"That would have made everyone in the Conference North sit up and take notice. It was a devastating blow that it was postponed and we couldn't take that momentum, that head of steam, into the second game.

"There was a covering of snow on the pitch and the lines were indistinguishable. It wasn't so much the falling snow or that the pitch was frozen. It was the right decision though, you have to think about the supporters as well.

"The pitch would have hardened once the sun went down and the terraces and roads would have been just as treacherous. The fans would have been in as much danger as the players."

The disappointment was compounded by the fact that Shutt could not call his players in for training on a night that would have been a normal session. He was left to ring round his squad and trust them to go through their paces alone.

The match will now be put back once again but the delay should help skipper Dean Jones as he battles his way back from a bad knee injury. He damaged his medial ligament and is not expected to be back for at least another two weeks after already missing a fortnight.

"Today's game was far too soon for Deano - it's a huge blow losing a player of his capabilities," added Shutt.