WORCESTER Raiders’ Claines Lane ground was vandalised overnight as thieves “cut and stole” power cables and forced tonight’s game with Shifnal Town to be postponed.

Raiders' West Midlands League Premier Division fixture with table-toppers Shifnal was set to be the first match to be played under floodlights at the ground but that is now on hold as West Mercia Police investigate the incident.

Power cables around the ground were cut and stolen leaving the club’s changing rooms without power, meaning the game could not go ahead.

The matter is now in police hands and club chiefs were asked not to comment further whilst the investigation gets under way.

The club confirmed the news on their Twitter account.

The post read: “All the hard work at Claines Lane to get the game on was in vain.

"The ground has been vandalised and power cables cut and stolen.

"We give up our free time and this happens.

"We dig deep and go again.

"Apologies to Shifnal Town but it’s out of our hands.”

The Worcestershire FA-owned Claines Lane ground is going through redevelopment work, meaning 11th-placed Raiders have only played two games there during the current campaign.

Worcester City are also due to move in permanently next season in a long-awaited return home.

Raiders were allowed back to the ground in January but recent waterlogging has meant they are still yet to hold a game under floodlights at the venue.

Karl Gormley’s side were bidding to bounce back from Friday’s disappointing 2-2 draw with bottom-of-the-league Dudley Sports at Malvern Town's HDanywhere Community Stadium but must now wait for the game to be rearranged.

Raiders' next fixture is on Saturday at Wem Town where they will look to keep their faint top-four hopes alive.