OXFORD United were hoping the overnight weather was kind enough to enable them to carry on their winning run in today's Division 3 promotion battle at Bury.

The U's, in third place, were up against the fifth-placed Shakers, whom they beat 2-1 at the Kassam Stadium on the opening day of the season.

But after the Gigg Lane pitch was frozen earlier in the week, and some snow was forecast, match referee Alan Kaye, from West Yorkshire, was due to carry out a pitch inspection at 11am today.

United's squad travelled north yesterday and boss Ian Atkins says he wants the game to go ahead after back-to-back victories over Rushden and Kidderminster.

Midfielder Bobby Ford has recovered from the virus which laid him low last weekend, but may have to do with a place on the bench.

Striker Andy Scott returns to one of his former clubs. He spent a month on loan at Bury in 1997.

He feels today's game, and Tuesday's rearranged home match against Denis Smith's Wrexham, are crucial.

"The next two or three games are vital, the Bury and Wrexham ones especially," he said.

Wrexham have got a few games in hand on us but are in the position we were a few weeks ago and having been through that, you'd rather have the points.

"So if we can beat Wrexham, it puts them a little bit further behind, and it's the same with Bury - it puts a bit of daylight between us and them."

Scott added: "It's the sign of a good team that we can come back from Southend defeat. We sat down, watched the video and had a good chat about things. A few things were said, but no-one holds a grudge, people got on with it and we've had two good wins since then."

Bury have centre back Nicky Hill in contention again following a hamstring injury, but Gareth Seddon remains sidelined with a back injury.

Bury: (from) Garner, Swailes, Redmond, Woodthorpe, Unsworth, Dunfield, Bily, Clegg, Stuart, Newby, Cramb, Nelson, O'Shaughnessy, Lawson, Nugent, Preece, Nelson.

Oxford Utd: (probable) Woodman, McNiven, Edwards, Crosby, Bound, Robinson, Hunt, Hunter, Savage, Basham, Scott. Subs from: Ford, Oldfield, Steele, Louis, Powell, Waterman, Hackett, Whitehead.