ALTRINCHAM have been left “dismayed” by the timing of Southend United’s pitch inspection.

The Roots Hall surface will be checked at 10.30am on Saturday morning ahead of the scheduled National League clash between the two teams at Roots Hall.

But Altrincham have released a club statement criticising Blues’ handling of the situation.

The statement reads: “We’ve been in continuous dialogue with our hosts over the last few days requesting that a decision be made prior to the team and numerous supporters departing today.

“All feedback prior to this point has been that there is no threat to the match due to the weather.

We are dismayed to learn late this afternoon, hours into our journey, that there is now an inspection tomorrow morning at 10.30am.

“Not only will a postponement lead to wasted costs of almost £5,000, but the timing of the inspection will be made at a time when supporters will have departed on trains or on the coach which is departing Altrincham at 8.30am for what is arguably our longest journey of the season.

“We kindly ask the National League, as they rightly obliged us ahead of our postponed home match against Dorking Wanderers in December, to put protocols in place for these decisions to take place before teams and supporters travel given the expense involved for all parties.”

Blues have been contacted to comment.