Dover’s scheduled National League South match against Havant & Waterlooville at Crabble has been postponed, less than two hours before kick-off.

Whites confirmed the news on Saturday at around 1.20pm, with Havant claiming Dover had shown them a lack of respect with the late decision.

Whites wrote on Twitter: “Unfortunately the match referee has deemed the pitch unplayable - the game is OFF.”

The fixture was due to be Whites’ first league match since 28-year-old Mitch Brundle was appointed their new boss on a permanent basis earlier in the week.

Visitors Havant were far from happy.

They fumed: "We are extremely disappointed that today’s match at such late notice [has been postponed].

"We have had our entire playing squad, staff, directors and the coach arrive to the ground, only for the referee to call it off within 25 seconds of walking on the pitch.

"Our kitman arrived at Dover Athletic at 11:30am to be met by the groundsman who said, in his opinion, that the game should have been called off at 9am - which he advised the chairman [Jim Parmenter].

"We feel our football club have been shown a lack of respect by Dover Athletic Football Club.

"Our biggest disappointment, however, is for the 100 or so supporters that travelled [by] coach, car and train, who have had an expensive journey for no reason at all."

Havant also attached a video of the current state of the Crabble pitch to a Twitter post.

Earlier in the morning, Dover said: “The covers have been removed and, while it is still patchy in areas, the pitch should be fine.”

There was a similar situation last month, with Dover’s scheduled league match against Worthing at Crabble postponed.

Rivals Dartford, Tonbridge and Ebbsfleet had also seen their planned weekend fixtures postponed, although the former two had announced the news to fans on Friday while the Fleet’s scheduled trip to Farnborough fell by the wayside after a 9am pitch inspection on Saturday.

Last season, Dover also saw a home National League encounter against Notts County called off late on.

Whites are now due to visit Tonbridge on Tuesday before visiting Hemel Hempstead next weekend.