Referee Mark Halsey's return is delayed by bad weather

Halsey officiated at the 2008 League Cup final

Referee Mark Halsey's return to action has been delayed after Accrington Stanley's match with Barnet was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

The 48-eight-year-old Halsey had been due to referee a league match for the first time since being given the all-clear in his battle with throat cancer.

Halsey has not overseen a league game since Everton hosted Arsenal last August in a Premier League match.

"Any game I referee now is a bonus," said Halsey prior to Tuesday's game.

"If I can get back in the Premier League I'd like the first game to be at Goodison, picking up where I left off," added the 48-year-old Bolton-based official.

While receiving treatment Halsey received support from all sections of the footballing community but it was the care and support of staff and doctors at The Christie cancer centre in Manchester that was particularly significant.

As such, Halsey will hold a special event to raise funds for The Christie on the 7 May at Lancashire County Cricket Club.

Guests attending will include Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini, Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce and Bolton boss Owen Coyle.