Oxford United fans were left seething after hundreds of them endured a wasted day by the late postponement of Saturday's Division 3 game at Shrewsbury.

The supporters were outraged when the fixture was at first declared 'on' and then postponed a couple of hours later because of a waterlogged pitch.

And they are demanding action be taken to ensure there is no repeat of the farce.

The fans have been backed by United boss Ian Atkins, who described the decision to postpone the fixture at around 12.15pm - after the pitch had previously passed a 10am inspection - as "a disgrace".

Local referee Rob Lewis, the scheduled fourth official for the match, had decreed that Friday's 1pm pitch inspection of the frozen Gay Meadow ground was "inconclusive", so the advice from Shrewsbury to Oxford fans was that they should wait until the result of a further inspection at 10am on Saturday before setting off.

The pitch then passed its Saturday morning inspection, following a significant thaw which had softened the hard surface.

Many supporters therefore found it incomprehensible that rain in Shropshire and the west Midlands late on Saturday morning could then cause the ground to become waterlogged so quickly.

The game was officially called off by match referee Mark Cowburn, who had travelled down from Blackpool.

Hundreds of Oxford fans, who had also been messed about on New Year's Day when the league game at Rushden was called off less than three hours before kick-off, had got to within a few miles of Shrewsbury.

Long-time U's fan Andy James said: "I feel sick. We actually heard on the radio, as we were listening to commentary of the Watford v Arsenal game, that the match was off. We couldn't believe it, especially after hearing at 10 o'clock that it was on.

"I was at Frankley Services and there were other carloads of Oxford fans there and a lot of angry people."

Shrewsbury manager Kevin Ratcliffe said: "I'm disappointed. On Friday it was unplayable, but this morning at 10am it was fine, and the pitch was playable. But the rain that had fallen had nowhere to go. It just sat on top and it was treacherous.

"It would be a brave decision to put it on, the ref was worried that we might get rid of the water but it would come back."

Atkins said match officials must take more account of the supporters.

"I find it incredible, because a week ago Shewsbury called off their game against Bristol