The thaw came in the nick of time to ensure Latics' Coca-Cola League One match against Leyton Orient goes ahead tonight at Boundary Park.

Latics brought in heaters yesterday to help speed up the thaw in the areas shadowed by the Vauxhall Pentagon Main Stand after temperatures plummeted to minus seven degrees a couple of nights ago.

Groundsman Lee Williams worked throughout the night to ensure the covers stayed in place to prevent further frost penetrating the surface.

Today there was only one area in the corner near the sponsors' suite which was a cause for concern. Groundstaff placed heaters under the suspended covers and managed to eliminate a potential problem.