Oxford United are hoping that fan power will do the trick to help get Tuesday night’s FA Carlsberg Trophy tie against Woking on.

More than 50 supporters answered a plea from the club on Monday to go along with shovels to clear snow from the Kassam Stadium pitch.

One even turned up in a mechanical digger to shift snow from the car park areas.

The U’s were very hopeful that the second-round tie, which was postponed last weekend, will get the go-ahead, but they are still dependant on the weather.

However, it was encouraging that, once the snow was removed, there wasn’t much frost in the ground.

The pitch inspection planned for 1pm on Monday was, therefore, put back until the same time on Tuesday.

It will be carried out by local referee John Farries.

The winners will be away to Chelmsford or Crawley in the third round, following yesterday’s draw.

United staff helped out, along with university sports staff and the volunteers, to clear the snow.

Secretary and general manager Mick Brown said: “We had an army of helpers clearing snow off the pitch.

“It’s still a massive task, and we’re still in the hands of the weather, but we’re giving it a good go.”

United chairman Kelvin Thomas paid tribute to the volunteers.

He said: “It was a tremendous effort by everyone. We managed to get the majority of the pitch cleared by last night, but we’re still in the hands of the weather overnight and on Tuesday.”

If the pitch does pass Tuesday’s lunchtime inspection, U’s boss Chris Wilder may be tempted to put out a strong line-up as his team have not played since December 28, and have managed only 90 minutes of action in the past month.

However, latest signing Anthony Tonkin is cup-tied, having played in the Trophy this season for Cambridge.

There could be a debut for centre half Jake Wright, signed from Brighton.

Woking, second in Blue Square South, have a 7-3-2 away record and have already beaten Forest Green in an earlier round.

They are without Crystal Palace loanees Matthew Wright and Nathaniel Pinney, who have returned to Selhurst Park. Jamie Slabber, who had a brief spell with Oxford, leads their attack.