matches at White Hill should spare a thought for Bermuda professionals Shawn Goater and Kyle Lightbourne.

On that same day the two strikers were playing in minus-three degree temperatures at Rotherham's Millmoor ground, a match which Walsall won 1-0 on a Kevin Wilson goal midway through the second half.

"It was a very icy pitch,'' admitted Lightbourne who was playing against Goater for the first time as a professional. "I thought we did well considering the conditions. I'm surprised the game wasn't called off.

"That was the most disappointing part of the game. There were so many simple mistakes.'' Lightbourne, recovering from a groin strain, has played the full 90 minutes in Walsall's last three matches. "The injury is getting better, but I'm still on medication,'' he explained.

"I'm back in the team though I don't train all the time. I've just been playing.'' Goater, while disappointed with the result, was impressed with the way Lightbourne linked up with player-coach Wilson. Goater's own chances were limited to a first half effort, as the conditions made things difficult for both teams.

"I've played in a game like that before, a reserve game, and everyone was surprised the game went ahead,'' said Goater.

"You just have to knock it out of your head and get on with it. Playing on a hard surface is not something any of the players fancy.

"In the first half I had one chance when I should have done better but apart from that we didn't create a whole lot of chances. Conditions made the game a bit stale but I thought Kyle and Wilson linked up several times really well.

"Had there been different conditions it would have been interesting to see how we would have coped with them, and likewise, with the way we play at home.'' Walsall had a good holiday weekend, drawing 0-0 at home with division leaders Swindon on Saturday. The four points from the two matches lifted Walsall to their highest position in the standings -- 13th -- this season. Rotherham are fourth from bottom.

"I thought we should have won that game,'' Lightbourne says of the Swindon match. "Kevin Wilson had a one-on-one chance with the 'keeper in the first half. I thought we were the better team.'' On Saturday, Walsall are away to third-placed Chesterfield while Rotherham are at home to Bradford City, the team that was unsuccessful in its bid to sign Goater a few weeks ago.

Rotherham have now gone five games without scoring a goal, while their defensive record is one of the worst in the division. Goater has failed in recent outings to add to his 17 goals this season, something he is determined to put right as he resumes he quest for 30 goals this season.

"Last season at this stage I was on 17 as well and throughout December and January, I scored just two goals which was the lean spell of my season,'' he disclosed.

"It's on my mind to improve on that from last year. Itr's important that I soon get off 17. As a striker you have to stay positive and confident it will come.''