HAVING turned professional 17 years ago, Shrimpers striker Dougie Freedman probably thought he had witnessed all there was to see in football.

But that was before last night’s antics at Roots Hall.

Referee Keith Hill decided to call off Blues’ game against Scunthorpe United just 20 minutes before kick-off.

And Freedman could just not believe the late postponement.

“It’s certainly something that’s never happened to me before at first team level,” said the forward.

“It happens in the reserves sometimes but this is just so frustrating.

“As players we were prepared for the game and fans have travelled down too, so for it just to be called off when it was was very disappointing.”

Despite his frustration, Freedman also tried to find some positives to take out of the postponement.

“I guess maybe it gives us a bit more time to recover from Saturday’s game with Bristol Rovers and means we can rest up a bit,” he said.

“It isn’t what we wanted but it’s gives us a break during a very busy time for us where games have been coming thick and fast.”

The game being called off will also give Freedman more time to recover from a slight thigh strain.

But, after bagging the winner against Bristol Rovers in his last outing, the Scotsman was keen to play as quickly as possible.

“As a striker when you’ve just scored you want to play again right away,” said the 34-year-old.

“So there’s a positive and a negative side to it really. It does give me more time to rest the injury but goals normally come in runs for forwards and this would have been a chance for me to score again.”

Freedman’s next opportunity will now come at Swindon Town on Saturday and he is again desperate for a good result.

“As a team we want to get ourselves going and get on a run,” he said.

“And it’s exactly the same for me.