AS the Wanderers say 'Happy 75th Birthday' to the their greatest ever centre-forward, Nat Lofthouse, the Reebok hails two new goalscoring heroes in the 2-0 derby triumph over Preston. Loan star Isaiah Rankin, valued at £1.3 million by Bradford City chairman Geoffrey Richmond, is on target with a sensational strike in the first half and summer signing Michael Ricketts shows power, pace and top class finishing to mark his debut eight minutes from time. There's an element of luck about the win with Preston hitting the woodwork three times and Jussi Jaaskelainen making a handful of super saves. But three welcome points take the happy Wanderers into second place in Division One.

MONDAY

THE seven-match Tranmere jinx is broken as Mike Whitlow's 53rd minute goal secures Wanderers their fourth win in a row, their third in 10 days. The rivalry between the clubs appears to take a bizarre twist with Wanderers arriving late - at 2.25 - already having changed into their warm-up kit at the Reebok then dashing back to Bolton without showering!

TUESDAY

ALLARDYCE plays down the so-called 'dirty' protest at Tranmere, insisting his novel approach was designed to motivate his own players and not meant as a 'snub'. "We went there to do a job. We didn't want to hang around," he explains

WEDNESDAY

THE Football League deny reports that they have ordered Wanderers to patch up their differences with Tranmere. "If the managers can't get along, they can't get along. That's up to them," a spokesman says. "We're not about to step in and force the issue. But it would be better if the clubs buried the hatchet and got on with each other." Meanwhile, Tranmere defend their decision to charge junior Wanderers' fans full price at the turnstiles at Prenton Park.

THURSDAY

SAM Allardyce moves to take the heat out of the Wanderers-Tranmere rivalry by insisting: "There is no rift between me and John Aldridge. There are some managers I like and some managers I don't like but I lose enough sleep worrying about my own team's problems without worrying about whether other managers like me." The Wanderers' boss responds to suggestions that Bradford could recall Isaiah Rankin to Valley Parade by telling the Bantams: "We will not be held to ransom over a transfer fee." Franck Passi is to be offered an extension to his short-term contract.

FRIDAY

BIG Sam praises his players for their impressive start to the season, which has saved him from having to rush into panic buys on the transfer market.