The Gladiators were looking forward to taking on Buxton in the final at Derby County’s Pride Park stadium until the Rams declared the pitch waterlogged and unplayable less than eight hours before the game was due to kick off.

The final has now been switched to Chesterfield FC’s Saltergate ground next Tuesday (May 5, 7.45pm).

Both the Matlock and Buxton club websites have been inundated with posts condemning the decision, made more difficult to comprehend as UniBond play-off games were staged at both nearby Ilkeston and Belper on the same night.

A contributory factor in the Rams' action in calling off the final might have been Pride Park staging the showpiece Women’s FA Cup Final on Bank Holiday Monday.

Gladiators chief executive Keith Brown said: “I'm sure all our and Buxton supporters will share our bitter disappointment that the final was postponed at 12.15 pm on Tuesday due to a waterlogged pitch, and at this stage Derby County have been unable to offer an alternative date. But due to the excellent co-operation between the Derbyshire County Football Association, Chesterfield FC and Buxton FC, the match will now take place at Saltergate, Chesterfield, on Tuesday May 5.”

The final has been a two-legged affair for over 40 years after originally being staged at Derby's Baseball Ground.

But during the last year non-league fans throughout the county have campaigned for it to be staged at Pride Park or Saltergate as a one-off game to reignite waning interest in the competition.

“It’s a crying shame and a very unfortunate situation, especially as non-league games near to Derby went ahead,” said Atkins.

“All the players were looking forward to it and were ready and willing for action.

“It's one of those things, though, and we'll have to prepare all over again for next week.”

But Atkins thinks that by playing the final at Saltergate it could help his players as several, including skipper Steve Warne, winger Jamie Jackson and defender Ashley Foyle, have been with the Spireites.

“A lot of the lads have been at Chesterfield at some stage, so that might just work in our favour.

“Now we know what Buxton are about.

“In the two league games, Buxton played to their full potential, we didn't. So the chance is there for them to put things right and win a cup,” said Atkins.

Foyle should have recovered from a head injury in time for the final, but Ian Clarke misses out with a pulled calf muscle.

On-loan striker Danny Davidson and defender Adam Yates are cup-tied.

Matlock are in form after winning their last three league games to ensure UniBond Premier Division survival and a healthy-looking 15th place finish.

A relieved Atkins said: “I knew we faced a tough task when I arrived, but I also knew we had enough quality to stay up, especially with the players we brought in afterwards.