Ipswich clash frozen off
Ipswich's npower Championship clash against Middlesbrough at Portman Road was abandoned after 37 minutes of the first half due to a frozen pitch with the scoreline goalless.
The playing surface in Suffolk survived two pitch inspections, at 11.15am and as late as 1.45pm, before referee Dean Whitestone gave the clash the green light.
The pitch had been protected for eight days while groundstaff had worked through the night since Wednesday before overnight temperatures in the region as low as minus 15c had initially put the game in doubt.
With little over half an hour of the first half having been played, Middlesbrough's players, staff and supporters were left having made a lengthy and ultimately fruitless round trip.
The surface had certainly contributed to a match which was anything but a classic before it was halted.
Ipswich went closest to an opener after 21 minutes as Daryl Murphy's strike amid a crowded penalty area cannoned back off the crossbar.
But referee Whitestone was soon in contact with his fourth official and, after discussions with both benches, signalled for the players to leave the field - to a chorus of boos from supporters.
Source: PA
Source: PA