Akinfenwa's gutsy performance was all the more remarkable given he was sporting a bandage to protect 12 stitches in a head wound which he picked up on the opening day of the season when he twice converted penalties in the victory against Cheltenham.

Since then the 26-year-old striker has battled on and he left Bolton embarrassed at the Reebok Stadium.

Bolton had to battle on with 10 men after stand-in skipper Gary Cahill was sent off in the 38th minute and they never looked like making up ground against a team 45 places below them.

The League One side almost made a dream start inside the first minute after Danny Shittu, on his debut, slipped. Akinfenwa got clear only to send a shot from the edge of area into the body of Jussi Jaaskelainen.

Danny Shittu then went close first with a crisp volley before sending a header narrowly wide of the post. However, Stuart Gray's side took the lead in the 21st minute when Akinfenwa scored from the penalty spot.

He coolly sent Jaaskelainen the wrong way after referee Graham Laws ruled that Gavin McCann had handled the ball.

Northampton were growing in confidence and extended their lead in the 28th minute. It was Akinfenwa who got his second goal of the game when he directed a cross from Abdul Osman beyond Jaaskelainen.

Bolton's nightmare continued when Cahill was sent off. Laws had no hesitation in dismissing the defender after a challenge that left Giles Coke on the floor.

The Premier League side pressed late on and their persistence paid off when Kevin Nolan pulled a goal back eight minutes from time after getting ahead of the goalkeeper and scoring from close range.