CHORLEY manager Matt Jansen expressed his frustration that his team party and their supporters made a fruitless three hour trek to Lincolnshire only to have Saturday’s match against Boston United called off by the referee less than an hour before kick-off.

The pitch had passed a precautionary early inspection by a local referee but on closer inspection the match official took a different view and was not satisfied that the game could safely go ahead.

Jansen believed it was the right call but one that could have been made earlier.

The Chorley boss, who said that while the players were wearing trainers underfoot conditions were manageable but once boots were worn the surface was ‘treacherous’, said: “It was the right decision but it should have been made by 10am.

“It’s obviously very disappointing for everyone concerned, players and fans, to have come all this way for nothing.

“Now we will have to come back here on a Tuesday night which isn’t ideal but we will deal with it.”

The Magpies remain in third spot in the table, level on points with second-placed Kidderminster Harriers.

Darlington were the only top five side to play and they closed the gap to Chorley to just two points as they beat Gloucester 2-0.