SOUTHEND United’s match at Altrincham will be played in front of a reduced crowd tomorrow.

Alrincham’s capacity for the game has been cut to 1,400, meaning only 250 Blues fans can be in attendance.

An Altrincham club statement confirmed: “We are incredibly disappointed to have to report this and tell you all that no further tickets are available, especially given the amount of work that has gone in over the last two weeks.

“Extensive ground repairs have been undertaken, with many repairs completed, and a structural engineer has confirmed that both the Popular Side and the Golf Road are structurally sound.

“In addition, we have greatly increased the matchday health and safety processes and the stewarding budget and upgraded many of our procedures by bringing in new operating practices in an attempt to address the concerns.

"All to no avail – the ground will be set up exactly as it was for Gateshead, with the Popular Side and the Golf Road closed to spectators. Southend United will occupy the Chequers End and the first bank of seats in the Family Stand.”

And Altrincham thanked the Shrimpers for their understanding.

The statement added: “We had set the capacity of the ground at 1,200 through e-ticketing and paper ticketing, with the hope of being able to announce an increase in capacity late in the week.

“Southend had actually been issued with 600 tickets many weeks ago, before any ground restrictions were in place, and there had been an expectation that they might sell 400. “I must thank the Shrimpers for agreeing to halt ticket sales at 250 as part of our overall capacity management.

“There will also be no tickets available for purchase on the day. Please help us by not turning up at the stadium if you do not have a valid ticket for this game.”