ON a day that began so cold that many of the pitches were frozen, and then worsened as the country was battered by sleet, freezing rain, hail and snow, the (flood)lights went out on Silsden on the west coast as their game was abandoned.

The Cobbydalers had made the journey to Blackpool to face Squires Gate in the top tier of the Hallmark Security League and the playing surface at the Brian Addison Stadium had passed a pitch inspection.

Just two points separated the clubs in the Premier Division table and the Cobbydalers were seeking the positive result that would have kept them above Gate, but the game was brought to an untimely end.

Danny Forrest’s men had started well without really threatening home keeper Ben Fletcher. They went close twice when Dan Illingworth headed wide from an early corner and later when Mark Everingham fired into the side netting.

The home side edged in front however, when striker Ric Seear netted the truncated game’s only goal. Good build up by Gate ended with Seear in possession on the edge of the area and he curled a shot beyond keeper Calum Jakovlevs.

Both sides were showing good intent despite the horrendous conditions and the pitch was still playable when the floodlights failed six minutes before half time.

The match officials waited more than half an hour but there was no solution and the game was abandoned.