PETER Gilbert thought his team-mates were initially winding him up when they told him Tuesday night’s game at Cheltenham Town had been abandoned.

The Southend United left-back had missed the match at Whaddon Road because of a one match suspension.

But, after the encounter came to a premature end due to a floodlight failure, Gilbert will now have to sit out tomorrow’s FA Cup clash at Macclesfield Town.

And he is gutted to again be absent.

“I was being kept updated from the ground by a few of the lads but when Chris Barker rang me to say the floodlights had gone out I thought he was joking,” said Gilbert.

“It of course meant I was still suspended for the weekend’s game and it’s very frustrating for me.

“It’s never nice missing games but what softened the blow was that we were playing on Tuesday so I knew I could be back for Saturday and wouldn’t be out of action for too long.

“But that can’t happen now and it’s completely changed my week which is very annoying.

“These things go on in football though and you just have to get on with it.”

FULL STORY IN FRIDAY'S ECHO