FC CLACTON boss Tom Austin admitted being “stunned” after the controversial postponement of his side’s FA Cup replay against Kirkley and Pakefield.

The sides were set to meet in an extra preliminary round tie on Tuesday, after drawing 2-2 on Saturday.

The match was moved to Holland FC’s new W&S Scaffolding Community Stadium because of ongoing pitch problems at the Rush Green Bowl.

However, Tuesday’s referee deemed the surface unplayable and decided to postpone the match.

Austin was mystified and said it was the strangest call-off of his long non-league career.

He said it had hit his club in the pocket as they still had to pay expenses for the referee and his assistants, in addition to forking out for Kirkley’s travel expenses, under FA rules.

At the time of going to press, he was unsure what happens next but was hoping the tie could be restaged at the Bowl next Tuesday.

“I was stunned and still can’t believe it,” said the Clacton boss, who had seen his side fight-back from two-down in the first game thanks to goals from Adam Hampson and Matt Eve.

“The referee felt the pitch was unplayable because there were a few stones on it.

“It was bizarre. I’d been out there for the warm-up and it hadn’t even occurred to me that there might be a problem.

“I hadn’t heard anyone say anything and certainly none of the players had expressed concern.

“There were a few stones on the surface. Maybe 20.

“But the players and I had offered to stand in a line and sweep the pitch, picking up any we saw.

“I honestly didn’t think there was a problem and it was massively frustrating and disappointing, for myself, the players and the supporters, because I think we would have got a big crowd.

“There’s no doubt the game should have been played.

“Holland had kindly offered to help us out and they’ve been playing games on the pitch, including one on Saturday.

“Their pitch has rightly been approved by both the FA and Thurlow Nunn League so for this to happen was bizarre – the strangest call-off I’ve ever known.”

The winners of the tie will be at home to Ware on Saturday week, August 25.

Austin hopes his side progress when the match is eventually restaged and was proud of their performance last Saturday.

“We didn’t start well and I was disappointed with the goals we conceded, especially the first which came from a set-piece,” he said.

“But the boys’ reaction was first class and they showed so much character.

“When we get the ball down and play, we look such a good side and we were unlucky not to nick a winner late in the game.”

Clacton are due to host Stowmarket Town in the Thurlow Nunn League premier division on Saturday.

Woodbridge Town are the scheduled visitors next Tuesday, although that could change depending on the FA Cup tie.

Lee Clowsley is available again but Clacton will be without injured pair Kyelan Marvell and Jorday Latay.

Meanwhile, Austin confirmed that defender Harvey Cowler is set for a spell with Harwich and Parkeston.

It is a gentleman’s agreement, rather than a loan, in order to give the full-back game-time.