February 4, 1978: IT was a second successive weekend ruled out by the weather for Wanderers when the local "derby" at Oldham Athletic was called off by a flooded pitch at Boundary Park.

The Manchester derby between City and United was also cancelled, while Bury's home match with Walsall was another victim of the dreadful North-west weather.

Wanderers' promotion push is now threatened by a fixture pile-up as the FA Cup fourth round tie with Mansfield was called off three times last week.

Former Wanderers chairman Joseph Battersby has retired from the board after 21 years of service.

Brian Clough, boss of Division One leaders Nottingham Forest, has been named Manager of the Month for January, with Graham Taylor of Watford taking the Division Four award.

February 1, 1993

WANDERERS were brought down to earth with a bang with a 1-0 home defeat by Brighton.

Just days after momentous FA Cup victories over Liverpool and Wolves, and Bruce Rioch's team lost out to a side below them in the Division Two table.

The Seagulls played it just right when they came to Burnden Park with the idea of containing Wanderers, and thus stifling service to deadly duo Andy Walker and John McGinlay.

The goal came on 18 minutes when Kurt Nogan picked up a Dean Wilkins throw-in, weaved past the Wanderers defence and blasted past Keith Branagan.

McGinlay and Mark Patterson both came close to getting the home side back on track but it was just one of those days.

But, on the bright side, this was only the second defeat in 22 games for Rioch and Wanderers remain in the play-off zone.

February 2, 1998

A DREADFUL performance saw Wanderers thumped 5-1 at home by Coventry City.

The magnificent Reebok Stadium was less than half full by the end as fans turned their back on a team looking more and more certain to again drop back into the First Division.

It had started so well when in the 21st minute Scott Sellars put the Whites a goal ahead when he tapped home from close range after good work from Per Frandsen and Nathan Blake.

But Coventry equalised through Noel Whelan within five minutes.

Although still level at half-time the second period was a nightmare with Darren Huckerby and Dion Dublin grabbing a brace each, as they took advantage of woeful defending.

Boss Colin Todd said: "I will not blame players for the performance, I am responsible for what goes on on the park."