Referee Russell Booth has defended the late postponement of Bristol Rovers' game at Crewe Alexandra last night – and implied that the Cheshire club did not do enough to get the match on, writes Chris Swift.

The Nottinghamshire official called the match off at 6pm because of ice on the playing surface, despite the fact it had been declared playable when inspected by a local referee in the morning.

The decision not only meant more frustration for the Pirates, but also their travelling fans who had already faced a nightmare journey to Cheshire because the M6 had been closed following a serious road accident.

Referee Booth said: "There was an inspection held at 9.30am by a referee from Stoke. He spoke to me and said that as long as they got the snow off the pitch, there would be no problem.

"That would have been the case because the pitch was pretty soft underneath – the problem was there was still ice on top.

"When I arrived at the ground at 4.20pm the temperature was 5°C. Had they got rid of the snow sooner instead of leaving it until 5.30pm, I wouldn't have had to call it off.

"When I arrived I had to try and find somebody to get people to work on the pitch.

"I told the club at 5.30pm that there would be another inspection at 6pm when Paul Trollope arrived. We walked the pitch together with the Crewe manager because I was not happy with it to say the least. With the temperature dropping it was turning to ice on top of the surface. We all agreed that the players' safety would be in question.

"It wasn't the fault of the referee who carried out the earlier inspection because if the club had got the snow and ice off the pitch, the game would have been on.

"I gave it every opportunity but by 6pm both managers agreed we had no chance of playing it.

"I left it as late as I could because I appreciate the Bristol fans had travelled a long way. It's unfortunate that the surface wasn't fit to play a match on.

"I feel for them. Some of them will blame me – but the players' safety comes first."

It was the third postponement Rovers have suffered in just over a week after seeing games against Oldham and Huddersfield also fall victim to the freeze.

Coach Paul Trollope said: "I visited the ground at 2pm and we were happy then that the game could go ahead. There were bits of ice on the pitch, which was being cleared by the groundstaff, and it seemed to have broken up.

"However when we arrived back at the ground at 6pm the ice had knitted back together and, we feel, made the playing surface dangerous.

"They hadn't really cleared it from the pitch as we thought they would through the afternoon so, after a long journey up, we have obviously been disappointed.

"I think both sides wanted the game to go ahead and Crewe made every effort they could to get it on. But unfortunately the weather and the circumstances have taken over."

"The players' safety is of paramount importance and it was obvious that the ice wasn't going to move even where they were brushing it.

"It was still a little bit dangerous so as far as I'm concerned, it was the right decision to call the game off."

Rovers' Supporters' Club members who travelled on official coaches to the game will get the cost of their fare and advance tickets refunded under an insurance scheme. But those who made the journey independently are not so lucky.

Supporters Club chairman Jim Chappell said: "If what the referee says is right, then it's very disappointing and it makes you wonder if Crewe gave any thought to the travelling supporters.

"It is always difficult in these sort of circumstances because pitches can thaw in the day and then freeze again in the evening.

"But it's very frustrating and it is not the first time it's happened to us. A few seasons ago we had a game at Shrewsbury called off twice at very late notice with fans either at the ground or on the way."

Crewe officials declined to comment last night but said the club would be issuing a statement today.

Rovers have at least been boosted by news that the injuries to striker Rickie Lambert and winger Jeff Hughes are not as serious as first thought.

Top scorer Lambert, who has been suffering with a hip problem, has an outside chance of being available for Saturday's trip to Scunthorpe.

Hughes, who has broken one bone in his hand rather than the two first diagnosed, will be available for the Glanford Park clash after having a light cast fitted.

Rovers' home game against Huddersfield has been rearranged for Tuesday, March 31 (7.45pm).