CHRIS Lucketti admitted he was disappointed by referee Eddie Ilderton's decision to postpone Saturday's match at home to AFC Wimbledon.

The Tyne and Wear-based official inspected the pitch at midday, when heavy snow was falling and the surface was covered.

He ruled it was unplayable due to snow and the match was called off at 12.15pm.

At that point, the managers of both teams were on their way to Gigg Lane, and Lucketti said when he arrived shortly afterwards there was no going back on the decision.

Snow was forecast to continue falling throughout the afternoon, but conditions actually improved quickly and the Shakers boss felt more time should have been given before the match was postponed.

“We were disappointed," he said. "I was really looking forward to it, especially with it set to be my first home game in charge.

“It was disappointing that, when I arrived at the ground, he'd already called it off. You could maybe understand his decision at that moment in time because the pitch was covered in snow.

“We tried to say 'look, can you give us a bit more time? Maybe have a 1pm or 1.30pm inspection?' That might have just given us enough time to either move the snow or see if the weather improved.

“As it happened, the weather did improve in that time and the game could possibly have gone ahead so it was disappointing the referee didn't give it as long as he probably should have done.

“Once he'd made his mind up there was no turning back with him so we had to take the boys back to Carrington, and by the time we'd got there the pitches were sufficient to get a good session into them.”

No date has yet been confirmed for the rearranged fixture.