Tomorrow night was immediately pencilled in as the new date, but, with more heavy rain and gales forecast for tomorrow, there remains some doubt about the game going ahead.

“We have polythene covers down and we are doing all we can to make sure the game goes ahead this time, but the likelihood of more heavy rain tomorrow does make me a bit pessimistic,” said Gretna secretary Helen McGregor today.

“It was very disappointing when we had to call the game off on Saturday because we had people coming from all over the country and interest in the tie was huge, but it had rained throughout the night on Friday and we just could not ask people to travel in the weather conditions.”

One plus today was the high winds that had been part of the problem at the weekend. They were helping dry out the pitch and, if the worst of the rain that has already led to severe flooding in nearby Carlisle, misses Gretna, there will be action at Raydale Park.

“We have spoken to people at the ground and they are doing a lot of work on the pitch. Right now, they are sounding quite confident and, hopefully, we’ll get the game played tomorrow,” said Tangerines assistant boss Gordon Chisholm.

There were no complaints from United concerning Saturday’s call-off. As soon as the team arrived in the borders, it was apparent there was a problem, as Gordon explained.

“We travelled down to Dumfries on Friday night to stay in a hotel and it was obvious then there was going to be a doubt. Even on Saturday, trying to get back up the road was not easy and we had to take another route from Dumfries because of fallen trees.”

If the pitch passes an expected inspection tomorrow morning, United will set off early.

New defender Lee Mair, who completed his move back to Scotland from Stockport County on Friday night, is eligible for tomorrow’s tie, but is unlikely to take part.

“Lee is lacking match fitness, so we will probably leave him behind to have a double session here tomorrow and he’ll take part in a bounce game on Wednesday,” said boss Ian McCall.

“Hopefully, that should mean he’s ready for the squad against Hearts on Saturday.”

The free tickets that were distributed for the game will still be valid and United have asked any fans who have tickets, but cannot make it this time, to hand them into the club shop at Tannadice so that other supporters can make use of them.

Fans are free to call into the shop to see if any tickets are available, though the club cannot guarantee there will be.