DR MARTENS: Swindon Supermarine's relegation clash with Shepshed Dynamo was abandoned following a serious injury to Marine keeper Paul Haines.

The brave shot-stopper raced from his goal to head clear an awkward 15th minute backpass, before colliding heavily with a Shepshed forward.

Haines drifted in and out of consciousness, and by the time an ambulance arrived some 45 minutes later, referee Lee Probert concluded that a rapidly freezing pitch was too dangerous for play to resume.

Marine were without a reserve keeper, and midfielder Paul Donnelly was set to don the gloves, so the travelling Shepshed contingent were not amused by Mr Probert's decision.

The Bristol official explained: "The match was stopped for 45 minutes and players were struggling to keep warm.

With the pitch beginning to freeze, the players' safety had to be taken into consideration."

There was little incident before the Haines' injury, although Marine had started brightly and Keith Knight came close to scoring with a fifth minute drive.

Haines was later discharged from hospital, but the concussed keeper will miss the Boxing Day showdown at Chippenham.

The big derby kicks off at 11am at Hardenhuish Park, and a large crowd is expected. The sides last met in August, when Chippenham ran out 3-0 winners.

But new manager John Murphy has Marine firing, and the Hunts Copse club should prove sterner opponents this time.