DORCHESTER club captain Simon Mitchem was left “very frustrated” after his side’s Dorset Funeral Plan Premier League fixture against Shroton at Dorchester Rec was abandoned over two hours after the scheduled start due to a wet square.

The cancellation meant that Dorchester lost further ground on leaders Swanage and Broadstone, who picked up 19 and 18 points respectively thanks to rain-affected wins over Poole Town and Stalbridge.

And Mitchem says Dorchester, who only gained five points from the non-result, tried unsuccessfully to get the game on until the umpires called it off.

He told Echosport: “I think they were going to call it off at four o’clock because the square was wet, it just wasn’t drying. We had to start by four for a game to take place.

“We tried to get the game on but it just wasn’t happening. We’re obviously very frustrated. Three weeks we haven’t played and we’re relying on results to go your way, which you can’t be.

Mitchem also reignited the debate about the five points rule given to both sides in the event of an abandonment.

He said: “I think it needs to be completely changed. The league should be looking at that, I don’t think it’s a fair system. You can still get 13 points when you lose.

“It really needs looking at but that’s for them to have a think about, maybe if enough people aired their frustrations, they will.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one who will be frustrated when you get five points when you’re in a decent position in the league. Hopefully enough people say something and something gets done.

Dorchester will hope to resume their campaign on Saturday when they travel to Poole Town.

In contrast to Dorchester's fortune the five point rule worked well for Martinstown, who were also called off due to standing water on the square.

The non-result means that Shillingstone, the current bottom side, could not close the gap to Martinstown by securing a win at Lower Ashton Farm, meaning a 46-point chasm remains between them and captain Ed Nichols' men in ninth.

With four games to play Martinstown next face a tricky trip to leaders Swanage, knowing that a win for them and a loss for Shillingstone against Sherborne would guarantee their top flight status for next season.