Adkins agrees with late call-off

Southend's Roots Hall pitch was unplayable according to referee Hill

Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins praised referee Keith Hill after he called off Tuesday's game at Southend, just 15 minutes before the kick-off.

The Roots Hall pitch was deemed unplayable because of a frozen pitch.

And Adkins told BBC Radio Humberside: "I have to agree with the referee, there's little bits of ice.

"If you did a sliding tackle on that you would cut your leg open. The referee, on the health and safety side, has made the right decision."

Adkins added: "Southend worked tirelessly to get the game on but the referee has made the call and we have to support him on that."

We're all disappointed that we've not been able to get the game on but at the far side of the ground there are bits of ice Keith Hill

Hertfordshire referee Keith Hill made endless inspections starting at 1330 GMT and eventually called a halt to proceedings close to the kick-off.

Hill told BBC Radio Humberside: "We're all disappointed that we've not been able to get the game on but at the far side of the ground there are bits of ice and they've not been able to shift it.

"The sidelines where the assistant referee's run are treacherous. In consultation with both managers, I couldn't guarantee the players safety."

No new date for the League One fixture has yet been announced.