GILLINGHAM face an uphill battle against the elements in a second attempt to play their FA Cup, third round, tie against Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow night at Priestfield.

Weather forecasters predict that freezing conditions will last well into this week with overnight temperatures plummeting to as low as minus 6C (21F) in some places. More snow is forecast for tomorrow and Wednesday.

Despite chairman Paul Scally's televised assurance on Friday night that the tie would be played and that he anticipated a sell-out, match referee Paul Taylor, in consultation with both managers, called the game off at 11.25 on Saturday morning.

It was the only casualty among the weekend's 32 third round ties to be affected by the weather. The club's problem pitch also claimed a third consecutive home postponement in eight days.

Not since the early 60s have the club been hit so badly by bad weather. Mr Scally said that Gillingham faced an estimated £25,000 loss after having the three matches called off. "Hopefully we'll make that money up when the games are played," he said. "All being well it won't be too big a disaster."