TO the surprise of many, Dover Atheltic's Second Round FA Trophy tie away to Blue Square North Fleetwood Town looked set to go ahead in Lancashire on Tuesday.

Along with the entire non-league programme, the tie was called off on Saturday because of the big freeze.

But early this week, Fleetwood's efforts to get the game played appeared to be paying dividends.

A huge warm air warm air dome was brought in and is said to have thawed the pitch at Fleetwood's Highbury stadium and Dover were preparing to make the 600 mile round trip up north.

The club have however warned travelling fans to check with Fleetwood Town before travelling - and on the way.

Whites' opponents spent £15,000 on a frost protection system last month which helped them play games over Christmas and new year when clubs all around them were left kicking their heels because of the weather.

But it was a fault in that system rather than the almost unprecedented snowfall that Fleetwood were blaming for Saturday's postponement.

The northern side's laudable efforts to get the game on could have something to do with the fact that Dover will now have two more players suspended and missing the game tonight.

Dean Hill starts a three match ban after picking up a straight red card in the 1-0 home defeat by Chelmsford City on December 28 while James Rogers misses one game for two bookings in the same match.

Midfielder Sammy Moore also serves a one game ban after accumulating five yellow cards while young winger Dean Grant is cup-tied after playing for Folkestone against Hitchin Town in an earlier round.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler also has five players doubtful through injury and it looks a depleted Whites squad that must make the trip north.

Many supporters are also upset at having to miss the trip because of other commitments after chairman Jim Parmenter had a coach lined up – and paid for – had the tie gone ahead on Saturday.

Other Kent clubs found themselves still idle because of the weather with Maidstone's much delayed first round Trophy tie against Histon being called off for the fifth time on Tuesday as was their landlords Ashford's home Ryman One game against Chipstead tomorrow, Wednesday.

More than 20 games have now had to be postponed this season at Ashford's troublesome Homelands for one reason or another.