There was cautious optimism, however, that this might be the night when the action goes ahead. A pitch inspection was called for noon and the surface was passed as playable.

News of that came, though, with a warning that even just a couple of hours of rain this evening would be enough to force cancellation No. 3.

United, though, were hopeful this time they would be seeing some action and, with the CIS Cup Final looming large on the horizon, not to mention next Wednesday’s date at Celtic, the management and players want the game on.

“These call-offs have been a bit of distraction, but all the players want to do is get out and play and we want this game on,” said boss Craig Levein.

While cup final fever has gripped fans — 2000 of the extra ticket allocation of 3200 were snapped up in hours yesterday — the gaffer knows that three points from Gretna would represent a big step towards clinching a top-six finish in the league.

United are also painfully aware they are facing this season’s bogy team, who have already beaten them twice.

With the departure of manager Davie Irons, plus a whole host of players, it will be an almost unrecognisable side the Tangerines are facing up to tonight.

“It’s very unusual that so many changes should be made in the middle of a season and that makes it hard to predict how they will play, but we have had them watched and have an idea what to expect,” added Craig.

Word from the SFL, however, has confirmed the man who’s hit five goals since joining up at Dens in January remains a point short of a ban.

That means that, even if he picked up a booking against former club Livingston next midweek, the resulting ban would not kick in for another fortnight.

“It’s not news we expected, but it’s very welcome and, given the way he’s been playing, having him available for the Hamilton game is obviously a boost,” said boss Alex Rae.

Alex will still have to find a replacement for both McMenamin and his striker partner Mickael Antoine-Curier on Saturday because both are cup-tied and cannot face Queen of the South in the Scottish Cup quarter-final.

“I’m not saying who’ll come in for them and, to be honest, that’s because I have not decided myself. Even without these two, we have good options up front and there are a couple of ways I can go.”

Taking over in attack won’t be Derek Lyle. He has been ruled out of this tie and Tuesday’s game after falling through a glass table at home. That’s left him with 16 stitches in a gashed stomach, though he could be back running by the middle of next week.

The manager is still waiting to see if winger Gavin Swankie will be fit to return after a calf problem. His chances of being involved at Palmerston are no better than 50-50.

Along with Greg Cameron, Martin Hardie, Stuart McCaffrey, Daniel McBreen and Andy Lawrie, who are also injured, he misses Saturday’s home Scottish Cup tie against St Mirren.

However, the recently-suspended Steven Anderson and Liam Craig are available, while Kevin James is also in the frame as he has recovered from flu.

Meanwhile, teenage front man Bobby Barr has gone on loan to Albion Rovers for the rest of the season.