Town went second in the Coca-Cola League One table after beating the Robins in an entertaining encounter, with Akinfenwa scoring two penalties and setting up strike partner Leon Constantine for the Cobblers' fourth.

That was enough for Doig, who hit the first of Town's four, to sing the forward's praises, and he believes the Cobblers possess one of the league's unique talents in the man affectionately known as 'Bayo'.

"He's fantastic," said Doig. "I don't think there is another player like him in the league to be honest. He won't run channels for you but you put that ball near him and nobody else can get it.

"He is a great focal point for the team, if you hit it to him players can play off him and in the second half especially he was fantastic and he took his penalties really well."

Saturday's victory was only the second opening day success for the Cobblers in 13 years since Neil Grayson's hat-trick helped down Bury 4-1 in 1995, with the 2-0 win at Swansea four years ago the only time Town have managed maximum points in the season's kick-off since. Doig wants to see his men kick on, and says that momentum could be the biggest weapon in the Cobblers' armoury this term.

"We're just delighted we have got the win," he added. "When you start at home I think it is vitally important you get the win. We said before the game you get the win and then you get a bit of momentum and you never know what can happen.

"That momentum can hopefully carry you forward throughout the season, as happened to the likes of Scunthorpe a couple of years ago. But we will take every game as it comes, give all we can and hopefully the results will come out.

"There is a long way to go so don't get carried away yet. There is 45 games to go, a long way to go and there are a lot of big teams in this league.

"We're only concentrating now on Millwall in the cup tomorrow night."