AFC TOTTON can start making preparations for another season in the Southern One South & West - even though this afternoon's home game against Bideford was a half-time washout.

While torrential rain forced referee Philip Staynings to abandon proceedings at half-time with the stand side of the Testwood Stadium pitch completely under water, events elsewhere guaranteed the Stags' safety.

Despite twice leading away at champions Hereford, second-to-bottom Wantage Town were eventually defeated 3-2 by the Bulls, meaning it is they who will drop out of the division along with back-markers Bridgwater.

A mighty downpour saturated the Testwood Stadium playing surface before kick-off this afteroon but, despite puddles galore, Swindon official Staynings gave the game the go-ahead.

The rain was still belting down as action got underway with Bideford keeper Joe Moore instantly struggling to keep his footing under pressure from Nathaniel Sherborne before Alfy Whittingham’s header from a corner was cleared by defender Steve Reed from inside a soggy six-yard box.

With the ball continually holding up in vast areas of standing water, it looked as if good football would be out of the question.

But Totton midfielder Charlie GUNSON soon disproved that theory with a brilliant individual opener just five minutes in.

Taking possession just outside the area, he merrily skipped his way through both the puddles and the Bideford defence before slotting a nicely weighted shot past Moore for 1-0.

Sean Downing’s curler almost brought Bideford level from Reed’s through ball as comedy moments abounded in a match more suited to water polo than football.

But, although the slapstick nature of proceedings provided top-notch entertainment for the crowd, Reed might not have seen the funny side had he injured himself sliding into the fence (see photo, above) alongside the Totton dug-out and soaking nearby Stags boss Louis Langdown in the process.

Having chased down the ball when it inevitably held up inside the Bideford box, Sherborne cut inside but shot straight at the keeper.

Totton’s Curtis Young then slammed a goal-bound shot straight into the body of defender Dan Harrison before, at the other end, Bideford forward Kevin Squire lashed the ball into the side netting.

Under the circumstances, both teams played sensibly, keeping strong tackles to a minimum, but referee Staynings was seriously unimpressed when Totton’s combative midfielder Neil Williams put in a high challenge on 'keeper Moore.

Williams’ subsequent yellow card was accompanied by a stern warning not to do it again.

The rain briefly relented, but when the heavens opened once again and, with the stand side of the pitch now resembling a river, you couldn’t help but wonder how long it would continue.

But continue it did and on 39 minutes it was Bideford’s turn to use the conditions in their favour and make it 1-1.

Totton failed to clear from inside their area and DOWNING swiftly intervened to steer the ball past Pat O’Flaherty in the home goal.

Staynings blew the whistle promptly on 45 minutes and, following consultation with both managers, the match was sensibly abandoned.

It was no great surprise considering the players had had to wade through ankle-deep water before making their way down the tunnel.

Applauding the decision to suspend proceedings, Stags boss Langdown said: “It was just one of those freak things.

“It kept looking like the rain would clear up, but then it just chucked it down again.

“Both sets of players took it in the right spirit and looked after themselves out there and there will be some comedy video moments to look back on.

“The referee tried to get the game on for the right reasons but, in the end, he's done the right thing abandoning it.

“No-one is injured and we’ve got some young players with careers to think about. “

The abandonment means Bideford must make the long journey from Devon again on a Tuesday night.

“No-one wanted that and I wouldn’t wish that midweek journey on our worst enemies,” added Langdown.

“But, from our point of view, our lads would rather play than train on a Tuesday – as long as it’s at home.”