DESPITE being without a game for four weeks, Darlington look like like having another blank day, whatever the weather, on January 19.

They had a better chance than most of playing on Saturday as they were due to visit Wigton and temperatures had been milder on the other side of the Pennines.

But the Cumbrians called off the North Division One match at 10am, despite the fact that neighbours Aspatria were able to do third-placed Darlington a favour by beating Hull Ionians, who lie second.

January 19 is a blank date in the North One programme, but Darlington cannot rearrange either of their outstanding matches against the Cumbrian clubs for that day.

Aspatria are involved in the National Intermediate Cup and Wigton have already rearranged a previously postponed league match for that day.

Darlington hope to return to action with a home match against Chester next Saturday, but like most clubs they have no idea when they can fit in their Durham Cup first round tie.

Having floodlights is of no advantage as they are drawn away to Stockton, and with league games taking priority, the cup match looks like having to wait until midweek after the clocks have changed.

Blaydon and Darlington Mowden Park can play their league and cup double-header under the Crow Tree lights on a mutually convenient date following Saturday's postponement.

But there is no hurry as the county cup will now inevitably be pushed back to the end of the season.

Mowden are at home to Whitchurch next Saturday, then visit National Three North leaders Dudley Kingswinford the following week.

Mowden, Blaydon and West Hartlepool all have two league games to rearrange, and the only vacant dates in the National Three programme before the end of the season are February 16 and March 9.

Aspatria scored an injury time try to win 31-25 against Hull Ionians, who remain four points ahead of Darlington but have played two games more.