WANDERERS’ Championship game against Ipswich Town has been saved after a critical failure of the club’s IT system had threatened it going ahead.

The game had been in significant doubt after computer systems controlling vital aspects of ticketing, security and stadium control crashed on Friday, rendering staff unable to guarantee fans could enter the University of Bolton Stadium.

Engineers and club employees worked into the early hours of the morning to rectify the problems – and give Ipswich fans the best possible notice that the game would be cancelled.

A club statement read: “Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with Ipswich Town will go ahead.

The problems affecting the club's IT systems have now been rectified and the match will take place as planned.”

Tickets for the game have been reduced to just £5 in conjunction with the Bolton Wanderers Community Trust and Bolton at Home.

A large attendance, boosted by hundreds of community groups, was expected but the system failure left Wanderers unable to sell tickets on Friday and turning fans away from the stadium empty-handed.

Earlier in the week Bolton Council had issued a prohibition order, effectively banning fans from watching the next two home games against Ipswich and Middlesbrough, following a threat from matchday staff to strike over unpaid wages.

That was lifted when March salaries were paid on Thursday to some staff – although players, coaches and some support employees have still not received their pay.

Wanderers’ very existence was in doubt on Wednesday when they faced being wound-up at the High Court over unpaid bills, including tax and VAT to HMRC.

An adjournment was granted until May 8 to give prospective buyers an opportunity to complete due diligence and a sale by the end of the season.

The match itself is an opportunity for Phil Parkinson’s side to close the gap on the teams above the relegation zone, possibly to two points depending on results elsewhere.