The League Two clash between play-off rivals Bury and Southend at the JD Stadium had to be abandoned after just seven minutes as torrential rain rendered the pitch unplayable . The game went ahead despite a heavy downpour prior to the 3pm kick-off but after a short discussion with the managers the referee decided to postpone the match . The officials planned to bring the players back out after 20 minutes to re-assess the state of the pitch and the weather but , despite the use of rollers during the break , the match was abandoned . Players were taken off the pitch just seven minutes into the League Two clash between Bury and Southend . Torrential rain before and during the game cause the pitch to become waterlogged . Bury groundsman tries in vain to rid the pitch of some of the surface water before the game was abandoned . Players battle for the ball in the very wet conditions before the game was postponed . The visiting Southend fans had to make the 500-mile , eight hour round trip from Essex to Lancashire to witness just a few minutes of football and the fixture is now likely to be replayed on a midweek evening . Bury manager David Flicroft said : 'Absolutely right decision by the ref , he had every right to start the game . Well done to the ref for making the right decision . ' I am gutted for the fans , as it looked like a great turn out by them today . It 's tough for the Southend fans now who 'll have to make the long trip up on a Tuesday night now . ' Southend fans had to make the 500-mile round trip that would have taken longer than eight hours . Southend manager Phil Brown leaves the pitch in the heavy rain . Both manager agreed that it was the right decision to call the game off . Southend manager Phil Brown shared Flicroft 's sentiments regarding the supporters but was able to take comfort in the fact he did n't have a full-strength side for the crucial fixture . ' I ’ m disappointed for the fans but it ’ s a good call for us because we had four players out today , ' Brown said . 'Twenty minutes before the game the pitch was playable and both managers agreed with that . But it was monsoon-like and the rain is still coming down so it was the right decision ( to abandon the game ) . ' Supporters have been offered a half price ticket for the re-arranged fixture .
Bury took on Southend at the JD Stadium in League Two on Saturday . The players were taken off after seven minutes after a torrential downpour . A statement from the club read: 'The pitch was completely waterlogged and it is believed that some of the players may have been injured.