DIRECTOR Jon Bowkett says the referee had no option but to postpone today’s League Two clash between Newport County AFC and Barnet at Rodney Parade.

The fixture was called off due to a waterlogged pitch following an 8.45am inspection by the match referee after heavy rain overnight in Newport.

It is the third game to be postponed at Rodney Parade this year after the League Two match against Hartlepool United (January 2) and the Blackburn Rovers FA Cup tie (January 9) also fell victim to the weather.

“It’s very frustrating,” said Bowkett. “But the volume of rain we’ve had from last night and through to this afternoon made it very difficult.

“There’s a line of heavy rain going from Plymouth, through the South West, South Wales and up to the Midlands.

“The games at Exeter, Yeovil, Bristol and Notts County are off as well and even Cardiff City with their modern stadium and pitch had problems.

“It’s really disappointing because we felt we had some momentum from last week and the team were confident but there’s nothing more that could have been done. Covers would have made no difference.

“It was the correct decision,” he added. “The referee stayed overnight and the management were there for an early inspection before Barnet travelled.”

A new date for the fixture has yet to be announced but tickets will be valid for the rearranged date.

County remain seven points clear of the bottom two after today's other matches.

Basement boys York City were beaten 2-0 at leaders Northampton Town and Dagenham & Redbridge in 23rd lost 1-0 at Cambridge United.

Yeovil Town and Hartlepool United, who are both below the Exiles in the table, had their respective fixtures postponed.

And Stevenage, who this week sacked manager Teddy Sheringham, remain one point and one place above Warren Feeney's men after their 1-0 home defeat to Crawley Town.

County have two games in hand over Stevenage above them and one game in hand over Yeovil directly below.