Bucks' shock at Rushden & Diamonds tragedy

AFC Telford United have sent their condolences to potential FA Trophy opponents Rushden & Diamonds after the shock death of their 24-year-old keeper Dale Roberts.

Rushden were scheduled to play Eastwood in a first round replay last night, with the winners heading to Telford on Saturday, January 15.

But the match was postponed at the 11th hour after it emerged that Roberts, an England C international, had died during the afternoon.

And Telford chairman Lee Carter said: "It's absolutely devastating news.

"I don't know what the circumstances are around it but it's unbelievably sad.

"Without wanting to sound clichéd, it puts everything into context and I'd have thought most people associated with Rushden & Diamonds wouldn't have wanted to do anything last night, let alone play a football match."

Meanwhile, Telford are keeping a watchful eye on the weather as they continue their preparations for Saturday's Blue Square Bet North clash at home to Eastwood.

The club have had frost covers on the pitch since Sunday and Carter is eager to see that the game goes ahead despite dire forecasts of freezing weather and snow.

"I'm sick of looking at weather forecasts because they all seem to be giving out mixed messages," he added.

"Whatever happens, we'll give it our utmost effort to get this game on.

"We've purchased more snow shovels and we have 1,000kgs of salt on site.

"We want to go through the Christmas period without losing a single game to weather if we possibly can."

By CHRIS HUDSON