Hundreds of AFC Telford United fans were left in the dark – literally – as their big FA Cup clash at Northwich Victoria ended prematurely in farce.

The fourth qualifying round tie at Victoria Park was abandoned at half-time as a power failure rendered the floodlights useless.

Referee Michael Naylor took one look at the cloudy sky and decided there would not be enough natural light to finish the game and promptly called it off.

See our picture gallery here

That left an impressive travelling contingent of around 500 supporters fuming at what had unfolded.

The mains supply to Victoria Park had been cut off and owner Mike Connett – who leases the ground to the Vics – had brought in two generators to power the stadium.

The first signs of trouble were seen just seconds before kick-off though, as one of those generators exploded in spectacular fashion, sending clouds of black smoke billowing across the pitch.

A back-up generator did keep the lights on for some time but, as they faded and then went out within minutes, it became clear the game was in doubt.

The decision to carry on regardless until half-time left those Bucks fans furious, as they were not entitled to any refund after seeing 45 minutes of football.

Safety officer Bob Robinson, who is employed directly by Connett’s company Beaconet rather than by Northwich Victoria, bravely faced the media to try to explain the situation.

But his timeline of events – claiming the generator had only packed in well into the first half – was at odds with what every fan had seen with their own eyes.

“We’ve been having trouble with the mains electricity and the owner brought in two generators,” said Robinson, who denied any knowledge of why the mains supply had been cut.

“The main generator packed up just before half-time, while the floodlights were on.

“We got the back-up generator going but that wasn’t sufficient to run the emergency lighting and the floodlighting.

“The referee asked us to get in contact with the suppliers of the generators and they said they couldn’t get out within two hours to get a replacement or fix it.

“The referee then said that, unfortunately, if you can’t give us a guarantee I will have to call the game off.”

On the pitch, the Bucks had found themselves 1-0 down at the break as Northwich took a fifth minute lead.

Mark Roberts had bundled the ball home off a scrambled corner after first Lee Vaughan then goalkeeper Ryan Young had made desperate goal-line blocks.

Telford – lining up in a new-look 4-5-1 formation – responded well, though, and applied plenty of pressure.

Martyn Naylor proved a threat on the right flank, while Liam Blakeman frequently surged forward to support lone striker Andy Brown.

Keeper Scott Tynan, formerly on the books of the old Telford United, was rarely called into action, though, as finishing let the visitors down.

But boss Rob Smith will have seen enough to give him real heart for Take Two tomorrow evening.

By CHRIS HUDSON