OFFICIALS at Tividale were left scratching there heads after Saturday's scheduled Midland Alliance fixture with Continental Star was postponed.

Groundstaff worked on the pitch at The Beeches from around 7.30am on matchday and it was given the thumbs up by an Alliance qualified referee at around 12.30pm.

But after a 15-minute inspection by the match referee the game was called off.

Boss Stuart Scriven was obviously frustrated that his side missed the chance to close the gap at the top even further after Coleshill's surprise 3-0 win over leaders Quorn.

"There was no surface water on the pitch but the ref said there were two or three areas which he deemed too soft and wasn't happy with," said Scriven.

"It was a bit of a surprise after another referee had said it was playable. The staff here had worked really hard and had put some sand down to absorb any water."

Scriven, speaking ahead of last night's trip to Boldmere St Michaels, revealed he has strengthened his squad with the signing of midfielder Davion Hamilton from Continental.

"Davion adds to the numbers and also bumps up the quality. He can play in midfield or up front equally well and he knows he'll have to work hard to get a start, but I think he will.

"We're glad to get him on board especially with all the games we have to play."

On Saturday Tividale, who sit third in the table five points off the top but with no fewer than 10 games in hand, travel to struggling Dunkirk, although the Nottinghamshire side have improved of late.

"They are scrapping for points and have had some good results at home against teams in the top half," said Scriven. "But as I've said all along it's about how we prepare and we have to go there with the right attitude."

Next Tuesday Tivi travel to face local rivals Gornal Athletic, who recently appointed former Dudley Town boss Andy Wyton as their new manager and have picked up four points from his opening two games in charge as they look to move away from the bottom two.