Kidsgrove asked for an 11.00 am pitch inspection to allow time for their Manchester based players to travel and Belper officials called in a locally based referee to make a decision.

Whilst the majority of the playing surface would probably have been perfectly playable, there was a small stretch in the shadow of the main stand that tends to retain the frost in the surface.

The local official felt that the pitch may have been playable by kick off time, but following consultation with the match referee, the Barnsley-based match official said that if there was the slightest of doubt then the game should be postponed, which it duly was.

Manager Peter Duffield took the opportunity to take a look at the Nailers’ second string and was reportedly impressed by the team’s performance in their 6-0 victory over Heanor Town Reserves.

It is now more likely that some of the players who are performing consistently well for the second team may be fast tracked through first team training and hopefully given first team opportunities.

Joaquin Ortuno 'Purito'(pictured) who arrived from Spain at the invitation of former manager, Tommy Taylor said goodbye to the club last weekend.

“Purito was released from his contract by mutual agreement and he flew back to Spain with our best wishes,” said club secretary Dave Laughlin.

Even under Tommy Taylor, Purito’s opportunities had been limited and when Peter Duffield took over he clearly wasn’t in his long term plans, so unfortunately his much heralded arrival ended in disappointment.

Meanwhile the club is hoping to extend the loan agreement with Scunthorpe United for Aron Wint who joined the Nailers just over a month ago and played in three games.

After impressing against Derby County in his first appearance, the jury is perhaps still out after the youngster failed to make a telling impact in the other two games he has played.

However if an agreement can be reached he will have another opportunity to make his mark at Christchurch Meadow.

The Nailers are at home to Newcastle Town this weekend.