SATURDAY: SURVIVAL is suddenly a probability rather than a possibility as Wanderers come from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 at the Reebok on a day when all their major rivals lose.

Kevin Nolan claims two goals - although his first is credited in some reports as a Mark Delaney own goal - as Big Sam's never-say-die squad pull out all the stops. There is a first goal in Bolton colours for Fredi Bobic, whose equaliser just before half-time is crucial, but the game's most memorable moment sees Nolan beat Peter Schmeichel with a 30-yard free kick to secure victory.

MONDAY

THE picture changes again as Wanderers lose 3-1 at Everton, despite being handed an early advantage when Toffees' skipper Duncan Ferguson is sent off for punching Bobic. But Kostas Konstantinidis gets his marching orders for a second bookable offence 11 minutes later, after which goals from Alessandro Pistone and Tomasz Radzinski appear to put Everton home and dry. Undaunted, Bruno N'Gotty scores his maiden goal in a spirited Wanderers' fightback and the outcome is in the balance until substitute Nick Chadwick nets Everton's third on the counter-attack five minutes from time.

TUESDAY

ALLARDYCE criticises his defenders but remains confident that another four points could secure Wanderers' Premiership future. Gudni Bergsson comes up with a timely boost as he sets his comeback sights on the Spurs game on April 20.

WEDNESDAY

BURNDEN Leisure report an operating profit of £1.1 million in the six months to December 31 with turnover rocketing from £6.6m to £16.6m. Ipswich captain Matt Holland admits his side's survival hopes rest on winning Saturday's Reebok showdown. Michael Ricketts gets back on the goal trail with a penalty as Wanderers Reserves come from behind to beat Everton 2-1. Jermaine Johnson crowns an outstanding performance with the winner.

THURSDAY

MIKE Whitlow expresses his delight at hearing the PFA are trying to get him a medal for his part - 10 games - in Leeds United's 1991-92 League Championship success. Kevin Nolan, named in the England U20 squad for the friendly in Portugal, is told he must wait for a Premiership panel to decide if he will be credited with Wanderers' first goal against Villa.

FRIDAY

IPSWICH boss George Burley calls in a sports psychologist to motivate his players ahead of the Reebok showdown while Allardyce takes the heat out of the situation. Ricketts is short-listed for the PFA's Young Players' Player of the Year award.