AFC Telford and Shrewsbury Town have been left with a weekend of frustration as the big freeze tightened its grip on the British football programme.

The Bucks’ Blue Square Bet North clash at Blyth Spartans and Town’s League Two trip to Accrington were postponed within 30 minutes of each other this morning.

The cold snap is taking its toll on fixtures in England, Wales and Scotland – and Shropshire’s big two sides were among the numerous clubs hit.

Telford’s long trip to Blyth fell by the wayside after a further two inches of snow fell in the North East last night.

“We have had discussions with the league and the match referee and called it off,” said Blyth secretary Ian Evans.

“It’s not going to get above minus 2c today.”

Telford chairman Lee Carter had no complaints.

“I think the decision was a formality,” he said.

“We were due to leave at 6.45am tomorrow but we had already cancelled our travel arrangements.”

Snow and plunging temperatures had forced Accrington to get their pitch checked by a local referee this morning and the final decision came at around 10am.

It has left Town with a second successive blank weekend after they were not involved in the second round of the FA Cup six days ago.

“They have done the sensible thing by making an early decision,” said Turner.

“It’s a bit of a concern having a second weekend of no football after the Hereford win.

“It does make it difficult but other teams will be in the same boat and we have got decent training facilities.

“We were on Astroturf earlier in the week and we got the covers off the training pitch yesterday and got on there.”

By James Garrison