Rain hits football programme

Play was called off at Molineux after a pitch inspection

Rain hit the football programme hard in England and Scotland on Saturday.

In the English Premiership Birmingham against Middlesbrough and Liverpool's trip to Wolves were postponed.

And in the SPL, Dundee United's clash with Partick Thistle at Tannadice has been called off.

Five games were called off in the Nationwide League, while three Scottish League games and two more in the Scottish Cup second round fell foul of the inclement weather.

For the game to be called off is really frustrating for us Birmingham boss Steve Bruce Blues angered by postponement

Referee Chris Foy's decision to postpone Birmingham's clash with Middlesbrough angered both clubs.

Foy decided to call the game off 80 minutes before the scheduled 1500 GMT kick-off after making the last of four inspections.

But Blues manager Steve Bruce said: "At 2.10 we sent the players out to train and I can tell you that pitch is playable and for the game to be called off is really frustrating for us.

"Even (Boro boss) Steve McClaren said to me that he was baffled by the referee's decision. His words to me were 'the pitch looked immaculate'."

In Saturday's other rain-hit Premiership clash, Wolves chief executive Jez Moxey was also unhappy with the referee's decision to postpone the match against Liverpool.

Postponement leaves Wolves fuming

Referee Barry Knight called off the match following a 1330 pitch inspection after heavy rain in the midlands.

But Moxey believes Molineux groundstaff could have got the pitch ready for action if Knight had delayed his inspection.

"From what I saw of the forecast there is due to be no more rain this afternoon, although we have been deluged since around 5am," he said.

"I can see why, at the time of making this decision, the referee felt the game couldn't take place but we feel that by 3pm the pitch would have been playable."

Partick's visit to Tannadice has already been re-arranged for Tuesday, with a 1945 GMT kick-off.

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Matches off

English Premiership
Birmingham v Middlesbrough
Wolves v Liverpool

Division One
Derby v Sheffield United
Nottm Forest v Gillingham

Division Two
Grimsby v Wrexham
Port Vale v Blackpool

Division Three
Lincoln v Cheltenham

Conference
Shrewsbury v Burton

SPL
Dundee United v Partick Thistle

Scottish League Division One
Falkirk v Inverness CT
Raith Rovers v St Mirren

Scottish Division Two
Dumbarton v Forfar Athletic

Scottish Cup
Morton v Vale of Leithen
Stranraer v Hamilton Academical Montrose v Phreave Rovers