Market Drayton fear the cancellation of their Shropshire FA Challenge Cup home tie with Whitchurch Alport could force their exit from the competition.

Such a move would also rob the Help the Heroes fund of a financial boost as Evo Stik League division one south outfit Drayton had planned to donate proceeds from Saturday’s derby quarter-final to the charity.

But stubborn patches of frozen ground, particularly around both goals, and near freezing fog meant a reluctant postponement after two late pitch inspections at Greenfields.

Town were so keen to get the tie played thatthey tried to re-arrange it for 24 hours later, on Sunday – but Whitchurch rejected that proposal.

Town manager Simon Line said: “The Shropshire FA, the Greenfields Association and the match officials all agreed we could play on Sunday but Whitchurch declined.”

Alport boss Andy Allmark admitted his Cheshire League division two were disappointed the game was postponed.

“We turned up at 1pm and the ref decided to call it off because of the goalmouths,” he said.

“The idea of playing yesterday was just too shot notice.”

It is now expected that the Shropshire FA will be called in to make a ruling on what happens next.

The issue is further complicated because Evo-Stick League policy is to only give way to county FA Senior Cup contests. The Challenge Cup is in the second rank.

The quarter-final tie has already been put back two weeks from the original conference date of January 8, with Shropshire FA chiefs striking an agreement with Evo Stik League officials for Drayton’s release.

But that is unlikely to be granted again and the idea of a midweek rearrangement may not sit well with Alport who play the vast majority of their games on a Saturday.

Line added: “With 23 Evo-Stick League South matches still to fit in, we don’t see how we’ll be allowed to offer Whitchurch a Saturday date within the time allowed to get the tie played.

“The league officials have done their best to help us sort this out but, given the number of fixtures they are trying to fit in. They won’t let us re-arrange another one.”

By TERRY MORRIS