Not even the superhuman efforts of an army of fans, groundstaff and club officials could get Oxford United's match against Woking on.

The FA Trophy second-round tie at the Kassam Stadium was postponed following a 3pm pitch inspection on Tuesday after everyone concerned had done their utmost to get the game on.

Referee John Farries even put the official inspection back two hours, but eventually everyone had to admit defeat because the ground was still rock-hard in a few places.

The tie has been resceduled for next Tuesday evening, meaning that the home game in the Blue Square Premier against Hayes & Yeading that night will now be played on Tuesday, March 9.

Hundreds of fans had worked with groundstaff and United officials through Monday afternoon and evening to clear all the snow from the pitch.

But with temperatures forecast for -1 degrees through Tuesday evening, it was felt there was a significant risk that at kick-off time the pitch would not be playable.

United chairman Kelvin Thomas said: “Although we are disappointed after the great deal of commitment and work shown by the staff and fans, we should be very proud of the efforts.

“And even though the weather beat us this time, we feel the work that everyone put in will give us an excellent chance for Saturday’s home game against Tamworth. We all need to see some football again.”

United’s secretary and general manager Mick Brown said: “John Farries got the kids to play a five-a-side kickabout game on the worst affected area to see what it was like and he began to hear sounds that indicated concern.

“He felt it was beginning to frost up and with it due to get down to -1, it was preferable to call it off then.”

United’s players had a training session on the good area of the pitch, following the afternoon inspection.