Derek McInnes tonight expressed regret that Dons fans were left frustrated and out of pocket because of the late call-off of their Scottish Premiership clash with Partick Thistle in Glasgow.

The match, which was due to kick-off at 7.45pm, was postponed around 4pm after referee Bobby Madden decided the waterlogged pitch at Firhill was unplayable.

The majority of the 1,500 Dons fans who had bought tickets to see the game were already on the road south by then.

They will still have to pay for the hire of buses, at an average of £700, and other costs incurred when travelling to away games.

McInnes confirmed the Dons had suggested Partick inspect their pitch earlier in the day , before most of the Dons fans had set out, because they were concerned about the heavy rain that was falling in Glasgow and the forecast for the rest of the day.

McInnes said: “I totally sympathise with our fans.

“We were pushing Partick to carry out an early inspection in an effort to prevent our fans from having to make a wasted journey.

“We know a lot of them would have set off around 3pm.

“ Partick were keen to get the game played though and said the pitch would probably have been deemed as playable if it had been inspected around lunchtime.

“I can sympathise with them because it can be difficult to get the balance right between doing what is best for the fans and doing everything possible to give the game a chance.

“It came as no surprise to us that the game was eventually called off though.

“Bobby Madden made the right decision.”

The SPFL are expected to confirm next week when the rearranged fixture will be played.