Colney Heath were left frustrated after their South Midlands League Premier Division match away at Leighton Town was controversially abandoned with half-an-hour still to play.

The Magpies had levelled the tie after falling behind before the break and were seemingly in the ascendancy, but a decision from referee Phil Wilkinson to abandon the match in the 61st minute because he deemed the pitch to be too waterlogged.

The rain had been pouring down for most of the day prior to kick off and continued to do so throughout the game.

Undeterred, Heath started the game on the front foot and quickly created two chances for Kai Peters, who first caused Leighton keeper Charlie Jones to race out of his box to head clear a dangerous ball before a low strike glanced just wide of the far post.

It was then Leighton’s turn to cause problems and Aaron Hall's well-struck shot needed the save from Charlie May.

Andy Sears-Black should have put Heath in front, but instead he fired over the bar from close range with an open goal at his mercy, following a teasing Danny Fitzgerald cross.

He was then made to rue his mistake when Ben Gallant swept the ball past Charlie May following Tom Silford’s pin-point delivery, to send the home side in 1-0 up at the break.

A half-time inspection of the pitch by the referee, followed by some work to remove some gathered water, saw the game resume and the Magpies emerged the stronger of the two sides.

Spencer Clarke-Mardel thought he had a strong case for a penalty after he was brought down in the box, but referee Phil Wilkinson instead waved play on.

Isa Rotimi then tested Jones with a strike of his own, before Heath eventually found their equaliser. A Danny Fitzgerald free-kick was pounced upon by substitute Harry Shepherd, who knocked the ball into the bottom right hand corner to make it 1-1.

The momentum was with the visitors and they nearly took the lead moments later when Clarke-Mardel’s searching delivery picked out the head of Jack Woods, whose header brush the top of the crossbar on its way over.

But with half-an-hour still to play, Wilkinson made a big decision and called the game off early because of the effect of the wet weather on the playing surface.

The Magpies’ players were seemingly happy to continue, with their side pushing to gain the upper hand, but instead the game will now have to be rescheduled for a later date.