Fratton Park hit by torrential downpour
Rain had been forecast in the Portsmouth area.
But with the sun shining over PO4 for most of the day, it was hoped the clouds would stay away.
But the rain came – and boy did it fall.
Fans at the fronts of stands rushed for cover as they were lashed with water, while thunder rumbled in the background.
There were also streaks of lightning as conditions turned biblical.
On the pitch, Patrick Agyemang had cancelled out Billy Knott’s opener to leave the game finely poised at 1-1.
But with large puddles forming on the pitch and the rain showing no signs of relenting, referee Lee Collins had no choice but to halt proceedings.
The players remained in the comfort of the dressing rooms and would have needed a submarine to negotiate the flooded tunnel.
Kit assistant Barry Harris was the man with the all-important statistic – the last abandoned match was against Aston Villa in 1956, although that was because of thick fog.
Meanwhile, some fans rushed to their cars to make a quick getaway, while others waited for the rain to pass.
It eventually did and soon Fratton Park was empty – the old girl ready to dry out after taking one hell of a battering.
Supporters should keep hold of their match tickets as they will be honoured for the rearranged fixture.
Supporters should keep hold of their match tickets as they will be honoured for the rearranged fixture.