Match off after security alert

The Evo-Stik Northern Premier League was hit by a security alert on Saturday when Rainworth Miners Welfare's clash with Loughborough Dynamo was postponed minutes before kick off on police advice.

The First Division South fixture had been in doubt since lunchtime when Nottinghamshire Police closed Kirklington Rd, the miners' social club opposite the ground and a nearby pub before cordoning off the area.

Players and officials from both sides were evacuated to a local snooker hall while police searched the premises and it had been hoped the game could go ahead after a delayed kick off. But with police expecting to continue their work for a number of hours more, the match was called off just before 3pm following talks with club officials.

Wrens Secretary Les Lee confirmed on Saturday night that police were now hunting the hoax caller believed to responsible for the bomb scare. He said: "We’ve spent all day getting ready for the game and it’s just disappointing for the staff and also for Loughborough who have had a wasted journey. It was almost certainly a hoax but you have to take these things seriously. I would like to know who and what was behind this."