" The pitch is presently covered with a three inch blanket of snow with ice lying underneath and we felt it only fair to supporters of both clubs to arrange as early an inspection as possible," explained Ayr's operations manager Tracy McTrusty.

" We got in touch with the referees' department at the SFA yesterday and they've agreed that a pitch inspection should be carried out tomorrow."

With temperatures set to remain at freezing or below for the next few days at least, the prospects of the game taking place look grim, and a postponement seems all but a formality.

The likely postponement of the tie will be a blow to both clubs who like most other Scottish League teams have been inactive over the last three weeks because of the continuing arctic conditions, and with weather forecasters predicting that the big freeze is set to continue well into next week at least, there's no way of knowing when City fans will next see their team in action.

Photographs of Somerset Park under a thick covering of snow can be viewed on Ayr United's official website (www.ayrunitedfc.co.uk) and information