WANDERERS live to fight another day after Craig Dawson’s proposed move to Wigan Athletic failed to make the 11pm deadline.

The club were unable to fund a deal to match that of their Lancashire neighbours this evening – leaving the centre-half clear to join Uwe Rosler’s side on loan.

But the paperwork did not get through in time, leaving the door open for Wanderers to try and fund a move in the loan window, which reopens in a fortnight.

Dawson has told friends and ex-team mates at the Reebok that he wanted to return to Bolton after failing to get regular football at Premier League West Brom.

He looked on the verge of signing for the Latics, who made their move after interest in Jack Hobbs ended when he signed for Nottingham Forest.

But the fact they missed the deadline could stand in Wanderers favour – with some fans so anxious to see the defender make a return to the club they proposed a fundraising effort via social media channels such as Twitter.

Dougie Freedman did not bolster his defence as expected, with his only senior signing on transfer deadline day being midfielder Liam Trotter.

Craig Davies departed for Preston on loan, while young Luxembourg international Yannick Bastos’s move from Differdange was also confirmed.

Joe Mason was given the green light to rejoin Wanderers on loan but turned down the move, for now, because of personal reasons.