THE weather claimed another victim today with York City's reserve team game at Darlington postponed.

The Avon Insurance League match, scheduled to kick-off at 7pm, was called off earlier today with the Feethams' pitch deemed unplayable.

The postponement is another blow for City manager Terry Dolan as he looks to prepare his first team squad for Saturday's trip to Torquay United.

On Monday, City's North Riding Senior Cup tie at Whitby Town was also postponed while the Minstermen, who did not play last Saturday, have been unable to train at the club's Wigginton Road training ground because of the rock-hard surface.

Yesterday, the City players enjoyed a double training session in the Bootham Crescent gym before heading to the Fitness First health studio at Clifton Moor.

Coach Adie Shaw admitted there was no problem with the players' fitness but the coaching staff were keen to do some ball-work with the squad.

"We were hoping to have two games in three days for certain players but that has now gone out of the window," he lamented.

"The players have worked hard in the gym over the last couple of days so fitness-wise there isn't a problem.

"The only problem is we haven't been able to get a ball out."

Updated: 12:41 Wednesday, January 08, 2003