WE were up at the crack of dawn to get down to the freezing Macron car park for the eight motorways-long coach trip to Brighton.

After stopping for big bacon breakfast baps at Warwick services, and the obligatory delays on the M25, we arrived at the Amex Community stadium early enough to have to knock them up to be let in.

Local hostelries are in short supply in the vicinity of the stadium, so we had the ‘meal deal’ of a chicken chirito pie and some dubious-tasting Wainwright’s ale at a ‘bargain’ £7.50.

We declined to make it large with an extra packet of crisps for £1.50. It is no wonder Brighton could afford to sign seven players in the January transfer window, which has revitalised their promotion campaign.

In comparison, we managed to cobble a team together after the surprise omission of Dean Moxey, presumably to a late fitness issue as he wasn’t even on the bench.

Derik stepped into the fray and we put on a decent performance, twice fighting back and looking at one stage like we might go on to win.

But one defensive mistake too many cost us dearly in a match we deserved to get something out of.

Some of their fans complimented us after the match on how we had played and said that we should stay up, wishing us well in our efforts.

A point would have been a bonus at in-form Brighton but at this stage of the season, every point counts as all our relegation rivals got something.

Scoring two goals away from home should at least get you a share of the points but we make it difficult for ourselves with poor defending and fatal mistakes.

In the 63rd minute we stood and applauded in respect of the passing this week of our chairman Phil Gartside.

I am pleased to report some Brighton fans joined in as well.

He was one of our own, a true Bolton lad and fan. It’s been the best of times and the worst of times under his leadership, a real rollercoaster of a ride.

Thank you Phil for the extended stay in the Premiership and the European adventures. I never thought I would see success like that in my lifetime.

These are the memories that will last forever. RIP and sincere condolences to the Gartside family.