CONCORD Rangers were left frustrated as their National League South encounter with Truro City was abandoned with less than 20 minutes remaining.

The Beach Boys were 1-0 ahead and on course for reaching the play-off places thanks to Sam Ashford's first half strike.

But Truro's Michael Hervé suffered a suspected broken arm and the referee called the fixture off after a discussion with the home side's chairman at Treyew Road.

And Concord first team coach Darren Beale admitted Concord were frustrated on their long trip back to south Essex from Cornwall.

"Jack Midson and their player clashed and he fell awkwardly," said Beale.

"Both physios treated him on the pitch and tried to put him in the most comfortable position possible while an ambulance was called.

"The ambulance service said that, due to the amount of pain he was in, he was not to be moved.

"Both teams' physios managed to get him on a stretcher but weren't allowed to move him anymore than that.

"The referee came to us and said 'I know it's a long trip for you so we will play on when the ambulance is here and taken the player away'.

"But Truro's chairman told the referee that they had no security officers after 6pm and so the game was abandoned."

Beale confirmed that Hervé was still on the pitch waiting for an ambulance when Concord's team coach left Treyew Road two-and-a-half hours after the incident took place.

And the Beach Boys are likely to have to return to Cornwall to replay the fixture.

"We're scouring through the rulebook to see what will happen because the referee was initially going to allow the game to finish, regardless of how long we had to wait for the ambulance," added Beale.

"It was only because of the chairman saying there were no security officers at the ground after 6pm that the game didn't finish.

"It's a long trip for the players and supporters and if we have to go back to replay the game in midweek then it will take out another two days because of travelling.

"We think it will be replayed and, unfortunately, things like this happen.

"But these things make you stronger."

Ashford, fresh from scoring his first goal for the club in the win over Weston-super-Mare last time out, beat the offside trap and slotted home to put Concord in control with 27 minutes on the clock.

Concord created further chances to extend their lead before the abandonment.

"It was a good, solid performance up until the match was abandoned," admitted Beale.

"We created quite a lot of chances and should have been 2-0 up by half-time.

"They are fighting for their lives and we had to weather the storm in the second half, but we should have been out of sight by then."