NIGEL Clough insisted Mansfield had done everything they could to get their rearranged game with Wanderers on.

The two sides will now hope it is third time lucky with Tuesday night’s pitch waterlogged seven days on from the game being postponed due a frozen surface.

Wanderers boss Ian Evatt fumed that the game had not been called off earlier but Clough highlighted the work of the Stags’ groundstaff who had tried to get the game played.

Clough, whose side have now not played since January 23, also admitted the torrential rain which ultimately left the surface unplayable had caught the club off guard.

“We desperately tried all day,” the former Burton, Derby and Sheffield United boss told the Stags’ website.

“Mez (Michael Merriman, head groundsman) and the ground staff have been working since 8:30am this morning – they did everything they could.

“There was light rain forecast, and then this torrential rain has appeared from absolutely nowhere from around four o’clock.

“I think even if it hadn’t been a little bit wet before, we would have struggled with what’s come down in the last hour or so.

“We were desperate to get the game on and everyone is disappointed and frustrated. But there is sometimes nothing you can do.

"The amount of rain that has come down has made it impossible.

“I don’t think it (conditions) bothers us, we just want to play.

"The lads have kept preparing and coming in raring to go, and the games get called off. It’s hugely frustrating for us.

“The referee (Seb Stockbridge) did everything he could, but said there were too many areas (that are waterlogged).

"The forecast is for it to just keep going, that’s another thing to take into consideration.”

The Stags are due to host Forest Green Rovers in League Two on Saturday.