City's game with Blackpool today was a victim of the wintry weather as the match was called off yesterday following a pitch inspection from Premiership referee Martin Atkinson.

The Leeds-based official checked the surface shortly after 3pm and his decision was a formality.

The pitch was rock hard in places, particularly in the goalmouth at the TL Dallas Stand end of the ground, where there is little sunlight.

And with the temperature predicted to plunge again last night there was no prospect of the ground softening sufficiently to be deemed playable.

The match has now been rearranged for Tuesday, March 21 with a 7.45pm kick-off.

The postponement will leave loan signing Aaron Wilbraham kicking his heels for another week before making his debut at Bournemouth next Saturday.

He only met his City team-mates for the first time yesterday, although training was heavily restricted because of the conditions.

And while City are left watching anxiously at other results, the postponement is good news for winger Bobby Petta.

The Dutchman, who is currently recovering from a pulled hamstring, would not have been ready to come straight back from his one-game suspension.

But with another week now before their next match against the Cherries, he will be optimistic of declaring himself fit for Colin Todd's plans.

Petta said: "I'm running on it okay now. This weekend was a bit too early for me but hopefully everything should be fine for the next one.

"The injury was not too bad but it's just one of those that needs a bit of time to settle down.

"It was frustrating because I'd just got back in the team but these things happen in football and you just get on with it."

City have gone six games without a win and began today just four points above the fourth relegation spot.