Chill still biting as fixtures called off

Forecasters may be talking of a gradual thaw - but the weather conditions continue to decimate the sporting programme across Shropshire and the rest of the UK.

Market Drayton Town are still waiting for their first game of 2010 after their UniBond League division one south clash at Grantham tonight was postponed.

Snow was still lying on the pitch in Lincolnshire yesterday, making the decision relatively straightforward.

The professional game has also been littered with postponements tonight.

Three FA Cup third round ties which were called off on their original date 10 days ago have been postponed for a second time - Accrington Stanley v Gillingham, Brentford v Doncaster and Notts County v Forest Green.

Walsall's League One clash with high-flying Norwich is off for a second time, as are tonight's two scheduled League Two matches which were due to see Bradford travel to Aldershot and Bury entertain Macclesfield.

The Scottish programme has also faced further disruption, while all three Blue Square Premier games are off.

That has caused further headaches for Wrexham, who were due to travel to Gateshead this evening.

The Dragons have now suffered eighth successive postponements and are on their longest run without a game for 32 years.

They haven't played at all since an FA Trophy victory over Altrincham on December 15, or in the league since December 5.

And the situation is unlikely to improve. Next Tuesday's trip to Barrow has already been postponed because of their opponents FA Trophy commitments, while Saturday's home match with Stevnage is rated no better than 50-50.

There is a little light at the end tunnel in horse racing.

All National Hunt cards had already been abandoned until at least Thursday.

Catterick will inspect tomorrow morning to see if they can race on Thursday, but Musselburgh are hopeful their jumps meeting on Friday will get the go-ahead.

Kempton, Warwick and Wetherby are all under threat for Saturday, but there is a possibility extra meetings could be added at Musselburgh and Fontwell.

The problems in Australia are at the opposite end of the weather spectrum.

Victoria were forced to abandon their meeting today due to extreme heat - on the back of a forecast temperature of 43 degrees.

* Tonight's football in England that goes ahead.

FA Cup round three: Bristol City v Cardiff. FA Cup round three replays: Birmingham v Nottingham Forest, Coventry v Portsmouth, Derby v Millwall, QPR v Sheffield United.