Dudley Heathens match is called off

Dudley Heathens bosses have praised the team's fans after their fruitless journey to the Isle of Wight.

The Heathens were hoping to stretch their lead at the top of the National League, but the rain proved too much and the fixture was abandoned half an hour after the scheduled start time of 7.30pm last night.

Large numbers of supporters had made the journey - many of them fans who had endured a two-hour delay at Stoke recently when a problem developed over medical cover.

Team manager Will Pottinger said: "Once again the fans were brilliant. They stayed patient after making the long journey and were keen to see the meeting go ahead.

"We were also keen to see it happen and gave it time, but the track and general conditions got too much."