DISMAYED Dudley Sports were left devastated after Saturday's game against Bilston Town Community at Hillcrest Avenue was abandoned with just 11 minutes remaining - when Sports were leading 4-3.

The referee ruled the pitch had become too dangerous to continue playing following a heavy bout of snow and called the game off.

Unhappy Sports boss Tony Gore insisted: "The pitch was no more dangerous than when we started the game and if he'd only waited for 10 minutes, it would have been alright.

"The sun came back out again and all it would have required was to brush the lines clear. All it needed was a bit of commonsense "I asked the referee to give it 10 more minutes, but he said no, I've made my decision!

The outcome was particularly tough on Dudley Sports player Jack Bailey, a recent recruit from Stourport Swifts who scored all four of their goals and Gore admitted: "He was gutted, we were all gutted. It was a great game played between two committed sides in difficult conditions.

"Bilston's manager Scott Hamilton said to me afterwards, that he could understand my frustration and added he'd have been saying exactly the same things had he been in our position.

"It's so disappointing, because I've finally got a squad of players together that I believe can get us out of trouble, but the referee didn't give us the opportunity to get three points, which would have given us some real breathing space.

"It's getting particularly tight at the bottom and we could still require another 10 points to make sure that we're safe.

"The West Midlands League do have the power to allow the result to stand, but they've never done it to my knowledge.

"So it will become another game that we have to re-arrange for a Thursday night.

Life doesn't get any easier for Dudley Sports as they must travel to title chasers Tividale this Saturday.