ATHLETIC have apologised to supporters and said weather conditions that were "difficult to predict" caused the late postponement of their game with Dundee United this afternoon.

The game was called off just after 1.30pm by referee David Lowe following a pitch inspection, with snow and rain throughout the day causing the East End surface to become waterlogged.

Despite the adverse weather conditions overnight and into this morning, the club stated at 9am that they had "no plans to hold a pitch inspection" and that the pitch was playable.

But the game, subsequently, was called off and the Pars later released a statement apologising to both sets of supporters.

On their website, they said: "Following the cancellation of this afternoon’s match against Dundee United, DAFC would like to apologise to all home and away supporters who have been inconvenienced by the call off at 1.30pm.

"Our ground staff and officials have been in since 8.30am this morning, and we have been in dialogue with the SPFL since then.

"The weather conditions proved extremely difficult to predict, with snow, sleet and then rain causing our pitch to ultimately become waterlogged, despite preparatory work being carried out yesterday.

"We requested the match referee to attend early to inspect the pitch, and at that point he had unfortunately no other option than to cancel the match.

"The date for the rearranged fixture will be announced in due course."

Dunfermline had been seeking to earn a sixth successive win under head coach Stevie Crawford to cement their place in the promotion play-off places.

They had been due to face Ross County next weekend but, with the Dingwall side involved in the Irn-Bru Cup final, that game will be played next month.

Only one Championship match - Falkirk's 1-1 draw with Partick Thistle - survived the weather over the course of the weekend.