Freezing temperatures and the prospect of more snow are set to play havoc with sporting fixtures this weekend, with several football matches and racing meetings already postponed or cancelled.

In football, Mansfield Town’s FA Cup third-round tie against Wigan and Carlisle United’s League Two match against MK Dons on Saturday have been postponed.

Mansfield said: “Frost covers have been on the playing surface all week in an attempt to protect the pitch, however, with temperatures reaching as low as -7°C in the early hours of this morning and not forecast to rise above freezing within the next 24 hours, an early decision has been made to postpone the game.”

Despite also using pitch covers at Carlisle’s Brunton Park, sub-zero temperatures in the north west and the forecast of more frost to come prompted swift action on Friday.

Carlisle said: “Tomorrow’s Sky Bet League Two fixture against MK Dons at Brunton Park has been postponed. Following a pitch inspection on Friday morning, the surface was deemed unplayable by a qualified match official.

“Despite the covers being in place at Brunton Park since Tuesday, the sub-zero temperatures have meant the surface is frozen. Details of the rearranged fixture will be confirmed in due course.”

In National League football, Oldham’s clash with Eastleigh and Fylde’s game against Sutton have also been postponed.

Further disruption looks likely, with the Met Office has warned that sleet and snow are expected in the south west today, leading to icy patches and freezing fog overnight.

Further FA Cup third-round ties could be among the fixtures at risk, while there is also a busy schedule of games in Leagues One and Two and in Scotland.

In racing, Kempton’s Lanzarote Hurdle meeting scheduled for Saturday has been abandoned due to a frozen track.

Conditions deteriorated rapidly at the course, as just 24 hours previously there had been no inspection planned.

Earlier in the week the problem had been flooding, but that had receded in time to make the course raceable by Thursday.

However, an extremely cold night which saw temperatures reach almost -7C scuppered any plans of racing.

“We’d just been waiting for confirmation from all the forecasts, but we’re forecast -2C again tonight and a high of 2C tomorrow,” said Kempton course clerk Barney Clifford.

“It was an easy call because we recorded a -6.8C which, apart from a -11C in 2010, is about as cold as I can remember it here. Thankfully it’s due to warm up in a few days.”

Friday’s all-weather racing meeting at Lingfield was abandoned following a second inspection and Kelso on Sunday off due to a frozen track.

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