Preston cup tie postponed again

Preston’s Carling Cup first-round clash at Mansfield tonight has been postponed amid safety fears.

The tie was scheduled to be played on Tuesday night, but was then put forward 24 hours following a toxic fire close to Field Mill.

Preston were unhappy that the Football League had expected them to play so near to their Coca-Cola Championship clash at Brighton on Saturday.

But Football League spokesman John Nagle confirmed today the game had now been postponed again after a meeting of the local safety advisory group.

He said: “The group has now looked at the situation and believe the building, which is only 100 metres from the ground, is unsafe and could cause a danger to fans.”

He refused to comment on Preston’s original complaint and could not yet give a date when the tie will now be played.