John Sheridan has slammed the decision which saw Chesterfield FC's money-spinning derby clash with Rotherham United called off.
A big crowd had been expected at Saltergate for the Monday lunchtime showdown but referee Scott Mathieson blew the whistle on the fixture after finding part of the pitch frozen.
Blues ground staff had covered the pitch with protective snow sheetin
g but stiff overnight winds had forced part of a sheet away from its moorings allowing the frost to penetrate a section of the playing surface.
The match official's decision to postpone the League Two game angered the Spireites manager.
Sheridan described the pitch as 'perfect' and said Mr Mathieson's decision was 'ridiculous'.
''He's on about a little patch that you can get a key in.
''It'll take a stud and seemed perfect to play on.
''The referee looks at things in a different way and he's saying safety reasons.
''He's made a decision but we've been out on the pitch and it's perfect for me.
''If I'd been the referee, we'd have been kicking off.
''I'm just disappointed that I wasn't there at the time he made the decision, I may have been able to have persuaded him differently.
''I looked at the pitch on Sunday and it looked perfect and at no time did I think there'd be any inspection, so it's very disappointing,'' he said.
Christmas games are always well attended and a large gate was anticipated as both Chesterfield and Rothertham are promotion contenders.
In addition, the clash was the Blues' final Yuletime match at Saltergate, a milestone which may have attracted additional spectators.
The kick-off had been brought forward to 1pm on police advice but Cheshire-based referee Mathieson issued his ruling shortly before 10.30am.
He said: ''The ground had been sheeted up over night and when I pulled the sheets back those areas of the pitch were playable.
''Unfortunately a couple of the sheets blew away during the night which exposed those parts of the pitch to the inclement weather and those areas that were exposed were solid and with all the experience I've had with previous pitch inspections over the years, I deemed the pitch unplayable.
''At the time the temperature was not lifting, it was still zero degrees, so I felt there was no prospect of the pitch being ready for kick-off time.''
The area of the pitch affected was just outside the Cross Street penalty area, on the Compton Street side of the pitch.
A new date has yet to be arranged for the game and the Blues have assured fans that all tickets bought in advance will be valid for that match.
Fans who bought tickets but are unable to attend the re-arranged date should contact the club on (01246) 209765.
A previous fixture to fall victim to the weather was the game at Port Vale on Saturday, December 19.
That match will now take place at Vale Park on Tuesday, February 9, kicking off at 7.45pm.
The Christmas programme has brought little cheer to the Spireites who suffered a 2-1 defeat at Lincoln City on Boxing Day.
The lowly Red Imps took a 2-0 lead into half time before a goal from Blues substitute Scott Boden set up a tense finish.
And it looked as if Sheridan's men were set for a share of the spoils after Drew Talbot was bundled over in the area.
A penalty was awarded but Jack Lester fired his spot-kick high and wide as the game ended 2-1.
It was the fourth defeat in the team's last five outings and the Spireites will be looking for a return to winning ways when Shrewsbury Town visit Saltergate on Saturday.
