Albion's clash on New Year's Day against Northampton at Withdean has been postponed due to the freezing weather.

The pitch is rock hard and with overnight temperatures forecast to be around minus 5, the game was called off on Monday afternoon.

It is the second match Albion frozen off this month - the Albion's game against Reading suffered a similar fate.

They have spent thousands since then on portable covers specially designed to counteract frost, but even they cannot cope when the temperature plunges well below zero.

Peter Taylor had hoped to use the visit of rock-bottom Northampton to halt the trend and pay back the Cobblers for Albion's only away defeat.

Taylor said: "We need three points now. Saturday was very frustrating, because we should have won.

"Bristol City are top, but we have got a couple of games in hand over them, so we are still in an excellent position. We are not dropping our heads to that extent, but we know we threw away two points.

"Northampton are fighting for their lives, so I am sure they are going to be getting a lot of bodies behind the ball. We have got to be patient and make sure we get a little bit of revenge."

Bristol City, a point above third-placed Albion, host QPR, while Stoke, second on goal difference, entertain Blackpool.

Brentford, who could have jumped back up from fourth to top at home to Cardiff, have also fallen victim to the weather.

The Seagulls blew a 2-0 lead for the second time in three games on Saturday.

First half goals by Lee Steele and Nathan Jones put them in charge, but substitute Ian Hughes halved Blackpool's arrears early in the second half.

Lee Collins volleyed an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time, just after Simon Royce had saved a penalty from sub Paul Simpson.

Albion also surrendered a 2-0 cushion against Chesterfield at Withdean ten days ago. Taylor said: "Simon pulled off a great save and I felt sorry for him. He didn't deserve to let in two.

"It was very frustrating. To be fair to Blackpool they were very positive in the second half, but we were very unprofessional.

"We gave the ball away too many times and gave away too many silly fouls."

Taylor is still hoping to sign the versatile Junior Lewis on loan for three months from his old club Leicester.

"It's a possibility, but at the moment there's nothing happening," he said.

Goalscorer Steele was annoyed that Albion had let a 2-0 lead slip again after his eighth goal of the season had helped put them in the driving seat.

He said: "We're very disappointed. It happened against Chesterfield and now this.

"They (Blackpool) were a different team in the second half and we had our backs against the wall."

Bristol City went top after coming from a goal down to beat Cardiff City 3-1 at Ninian Park.

Brentford suffered their second successive away defeat, losing 1-0 to fast-improving Tranmere.

Stoke City were held to a goalless draw by play-off contenders Huddersfield Town.

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