Dion Charles and Randell Williams had Bolton in total control in the first half and it could have been more for the hosts, but Town dug in and might have pinched a point with some late pressure after Sam Hoskins headed home his sixth of the season to halve the deficit midway through the second period. Here are our player ratings...
5. Patrick Brough
He's been largely excellent this season but here he was substituted for the first time and that reflected one of his more difficult afternoons in a Cobblers shirt. Struggled to contain Bolton and made no headway down the left... 5 Photo: Pete Norton
6. Shaun McWilliams
Not how he would have wanted his 200th game to go. Covered a lot of ground in the middle but that was more out of necessity than anything else as Bolton ripped through Town's midfield throughout the first half. Improved considerably from about 35 minutes on though and was one of the better performers... 7 Photo: Pete Norton
7. Marc Leonard
Swamped by Bolton players for most of the first half but eventually he was able to get his foot on the ball and give Cobblers a toehold, albeit not enough to apply any concerted pressure until the last few minutes... 6 Photo: Pete Norton
8. Mitch Pinnock
The press malfunctioned in the first half which allowed Bolton to play through and around Cobblers and as a consequence he couldn't get in the game. Saw a bit more of the ball second half but not enough... 5.5 Photo: Pete Norton