not fair on players, says championship-chasing Dandy Town coach Andrew Bascome.

Town, who lead the table on goal difference, are level on points with Devonshire Colts and just a point clear of North Village as the top-flight title race heads for a thrilling finale.

But Bascome fears inactivity could have a negative effect on his team, who last played on February 18 in a goalless draw with Village and next play on March 18 in another crunch match against Devonshire Colts at White Hill Field.

"How do you keep the players motivated when you don't have a game for a month?'' said Bascome, who admitted he had been frustrated by the string of free Sundays.

"Some players might not be keen to come to training when they know there is no game. I guess players come with their own self-motivation and you have to rely on that.'' The Premier Division comprises eight teams this season, reduced from 10 last season, meaning four less fixtures for each side. No top-flight matches were played last Sunday and none are scheduled for this weekend either.

But three successive Sundays without a match did not go down well with the Hornets coach.

"Obviously I know there are less teams in the division this year, but I thought that would mean an earlier finish to the season. It would be better to play straight through.'' Asked if he thought how the gap in the programme would effect the title race, Bascome said: "I guess it will come down to how much the clubs want it and how far the players are prepared to go.'' Four Premier Division teams will be in action on March 11 in the FA Cup semi-finals, when Colts play Wolves and PHC meet Village in a replay. The final two rounds of the league season will be played out on March 18 and 25.

Two blank Sundays in succession also occurred last November when referees withdrew their services.

And the same thing happened again, when there were no top-flight or FA Cup matches played on January 21 or 28.