TONIGHT'S SPFL Trust Trophy quarter-final between Dundee and Athletic was called off less than than an hour before kick off.

The Pars had made the trip to face their Championship opponents but, at around 7pm, the match officials appeared on the pitch to carry out an inspection of the playing surface.

It took place due to heavy and consistent rainfall throughout the day and, although it had eased after the teams arrived, the match referee decided the game would not go ahead.

Particular attention was paid to the area around the halfway line, with the officials using a ball to gauge its movement and bounce, as they had done around the penalty box at the end of the ground where the away fans were due to be housed.

However, with around 45 minutes to go before kick off, it was deemed that the pitch was unplayable, and the match, which had been due to be televised by BBC Alba, was postponed.

It is the second match this month that Dunfermline were due to be play that has been cancelled, following their January 2 home clash with Falkirk in League One, which succumbed to a frozen pitch.

A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.

Kelty Hearts' quarter-final tie, at Queen of the South, does go ahead this evening.