Birmingham City's season of frustration received another big setback in the St Andrew's fog last night.
Referee Phil Dowd's decision to postpone Blues' live televised home game with Europe-chasing Bolton Wanderers just over an hour before the scheduled 8 o'clock kickoff was common sense.
But it robbed Steve Bruce's men of the chance to rise a place in the Premiership table, and that sets up a battle of the bottom two when Blues go to the Stadium of Light to face backmarkers Sunderland on Saturday.
"It undoes all the hard work we've done over the last fortnight," said Bruce. "But we've no complaints and neither have Bolton. We needed a victory but there was no way the conditions were going to allow us to play the game.
"But, rest assured, the lads will be champing at the bit to play on Saturday after what will be three weeks without a game."
Blues' lack of match action even led to captain Kenny Cunningham hinting that it will be an unusually strong reserves team that takes on Liverpool tonight at Solihull Borough's Damson Park.
"We've got a fair few players coming back from injury," said Cunningham. "And it would have been nice for them to get some minutes under their belts.
"But it now gives then the opportunity for a runout in the reserves. And it would make sense for one or two to be given 45 minutes."
Although frustrated by the game being called off at such notice, the naturally buoyant Cunningham was left in positive spirits.
"We haven't lost the game," he said, "so when it is replayed, we will have to make it count.
"And hopefully with the lads coming back maybe getting some action on Tuesday night and a couple of days more training under their belts, it might make us stronger for Sunderland on Saturday."
Match referee Dowd was in no doubt that he had made the right decision.
"There was simply not enough visibility for the game to go ahead," said the Stoke official. "With such a lot riding on this game for both clubs, you've got to be realistic when making your decision. But you couldn't see across the pitch and we also took into account that the fans wouldn't be able to see either."
Meanwhile, Blues have agreed a deal to sign young Faroe Islands midfielder Ingi Hojsted in the January transfer window.
Currently with B36 Thorshavn, Hojsted's agent has said that a deal is done and is merely awaiting international clearance. But Blues boss Bruce stressed that Hojsted - who did not look out of his depth against Zidane, Vieira and Makelele when the Faroes lost only 3-0 to France in a World Cup qualifier in September - is considered very much one for the future.
