MACCLESFIELD were furious after the referee abandoned the game after half time due to fog.

Confusion reigned initially after it was announced the game was abandoned, then another announcement came through to say it was suspended, in which time the fog appeared to have cleared, but was finally called off after another inspection.

The decision means both teams will have to play the match again at a later date, though Whites look like they have had a lucky escape having been 1-0 down thanks to a goal from Danny Rowe and in truth were not at the races.

Both teams made one change from their Tuesday night’s games. Top scorer Ricky Miller came back into the side after a one-match ban, replacing Mitchell Pinnock who dropped to the bench. Paul Lewis and Kingsley James traded places for Macclesfield who drew 1-1 with Gateshead earlier in the week.

Miller almost got Dover off to the perfect start with a trademark run and shot, after cutting inside, that flew narrowly wide.

The hitman then popped up on the left and following a one-two with Ross Lafayette, flashed a shot across goal with Lafayette inches away from connecting.

Danny Whitaker called Steve Arnold into action with a bullet header from an Andy Halls cross, but the Dover number one expertly tipped the ball over. Chris Holroyd then had an effort after collecting Halls’ pass in the box but blasted straight at Arnold when well placed.

Holroyd was the man having all the attempts at the Dover goal, with his latest effort over the bar following Paul Lewis’ short pass.

Macclesfield fans must have thought a goal was a certainty when Halls pounced on a loose ball down the right, but his cross across goal eluded every blue shirt in the box.

They did not have to wait for long and on the half-hour, Danny Rowe gave the Silkmen the lead after running with the ball from midfield and after a quick interchange of passes with Holroyd, squeezed a low shot past Arnold.

Macclesfield were in the mood and Holroyd tried to take advantage of a weak back pass by Magri, but was unable to beat Arnold.

Dover had their first shot on target via Jim Stevenson, his long-range curling effort was no trouble for Craig Ross.

Tyrone Sterling almost scored an own goal from a thunderous ball across the box, but Arnold was able to smother the ball from close range.

Holroyd clipped the post after making space on the edge of the area as half time loomed.

The fog thickened over the interval and Danny Whitaker volleyed a shot narrowly over before the refereed bought the game to a halt after ten minutes, before finally making the decision to call the game off after deliberations with his assistants.

The result sees Whites stay in sixth and are now two points behind Dagenham in 5th with a game in hand. Dover face Sutton next at Gander Green Lane on Tuesday 29th November 19:45 kick off.

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