DAVID HODGSON may have been left frustrated by the weekend's freeze, but the Darlington manager was able to draw some positives from Saturday's postponement at Rochdale.

Quakers are now eight points adrift of a play-off place after six of 12 games in League Two went ahead.

Cheltenham, who have now played the same amount of games as Quakers - 35 - occupy the seventh and final play-off spot after beating Wycombe. However, Hodgson's men have a game in hand over sixth-placed Peterborough, who beat Stockport.

"Whether we lose ground or not, the bottom line is we can only make it up with the game in hand," said Hodgson.

But, with several injuries to contend with, referee Rob Lewis' decision to call the game off at 9.30am on Saturday was welcomed by Hodgson.

With Matty Appleby due to serve a one-match ban and skipper Matt Clarke ruled out with a groin injury, Hodgson's defensive options would have been stretched at Spotland.

And, while Appleby will miss this Saturday's visit of Chester instead, Clarke should be fit in time to return.

"This will give us the chance to get one or two bodies back and a bit more time to find another striker," said Hodgson.

After returning from international duty with New Zealand, Hodgson hinted that Adrian Webster was in line to figure at Rochdale.

"It is unfortunate for lads like Adrian, who might have had a chance to impress," said Hodgson. "There are few pitches at this level that can deal with these conditions and it is something we just have to accept."

Temperatures were still below freezing when Lewis deemed the Spotland pitch unplayable - the fourth time Dale have had a home fixture postponed this season.

"We knew long before that the game would be called off because the conditions were horrendous," said Hodgson. "There was two inches of snow on the pitch so I don't think there was any doubt the game would be called off."

Hodgson wasted little time in arranging an alternative work-out for his squad after finding a suitable surface for them to jog on - the gallops at his home.

Hodgson explained: "The gallops were soft enough to run on and we needed somewhere for the lads to train so it was ideal."

* No new date has yet to be arranged after Saturday's postponement.

l Wycombe failed to capitalise on leaders Carlisle's inactivity as they lost 2-1 at Cheltenham.

John Gorman's side, who are level on points with the Cumbrians, took a 16th-minute lead through Roger Johnson's header.

But Gavin Caines levelled 19 minutes from time only for Wycombe's Kevin Betsy to get himself sent off. Cheltenham took full advantage and Steven Gillespie fired home a 90th-minute winner to send Whaddon Road into raptures.

Grimsby, starting the day in fourth, took the lead but could only draw 1-1 at struggling Rushden and Diamonds.

Ben Futcher headed them in front just before the hour mark but Simeon Jackson lashed in an equaliser 11 minutes later to aid his side's survival hopes.