BACUP boss Brent Peters has slammed the North West Counties League management committee after his side's Worthington Challenge Cup tie was switched to Maine Road tonight.

The game has been postponed three times at West View - the latest on Tuesday night - and the committee have told Bacup they will have to play the third round tie at the NWCL Division One side's ground tonight.

"I am furious that they have given us so little notice," said Peters. "It is pathetic.

"If it said in the rule books that after three postponements then the game will be switched, then we would be aware of that.

"But it's at the league management committee's discretion and it has to be 'fair and reasonable'.

"They are within their rights to alter it but I don't think it is fair or reasonable that we have to go there with just a couple of days notice.

"I have one player who works in Next and it's late night opening so he won't be able to play at such short notice.

"And I have players on shift work who won't be able to just get the time off like that."

Bacup are also furious at having lost revenue from the game if it had gone ahead at West View.

"The game couldn't go ahead on Tuesday because, although the outfield players would be okay, the frost had made the penalty areas rock hard," said Peters.

"It would be like diving in the road for the goalkeepers and safety should come first.

"But if it had gone ahead I think, from bar receipts, gate receipts, and other things we would have made about £800.

"That means such a lot to a club like Bacup.

"Maine Road don't get a big crowd and they won't be able to publicise it because of the late notice. It means Bacup, Maine Road and the league, who get a share of any profits, will all miss out.

"It is a competition we want to win, we want to put the strongest side out, and we will suffer now."