WHO knew the highlight of 2016 would arrive with virtually the last kick of the ball at the Macron Stadium?

Wanderers’ home celebrates its’ 20th anniversary this year, in which time it has seen some stunning sights. And James Henry’s 94th-minute winner against Scunthorpe United ranks right up there with the best of them.

With one wave of his right foot the on-loan Wolves midfielder sparked a sound louder than any firework which went off on Saturday night, and one we have missed so very much in recent times – pure, unbridled joy.

Phil Parkinson’s side had not fired on all cylinders but backed by a crowd every bit as vociferous as it was in the Premier League heyday they dug in and found a way.

Wanderers shaded the first half and Josh Vela put them ahead with another well-taken half-volley, his seventh strike of an ever-improving campaign.

Scunthorpe’s response after the break showed why they have led from the front since September – Neal Bishop finally breaking down the door after a barrage of pressure had pinned the Whites back.

Most would have backed the Iron to go on and claim a second at that stage but nearly 16,000 Bolton fans were having none of it. Within a minute of Bishop’s shot hitting the back of the net their response was defiant and helped snap the players out of their malaise.

Wanderers were never at their free-flowing best and for all the effort expended by Vela, Jay Spearing and Tom Thorpe, the fact they couldn’t bring Zach Clough or Sammy Ameobi into the game enough was a source of frustration. Passes went astray, flicks did not quite come off, a point felt warranted, yet on home turf was it really enough?

The game was tense and fiercely-contested, neither side feeling especially well-treated by finicky referee Andy Madley.

A rib injury to Lawrie Wilson had also forced Parkinson into a change, bringing on Derik Osede to look after 14-goal Josh Morris. The Spaniard has historically had his problems at full-back, but showed signs of his growing maturity as a footballer to cope very well.

Henry wasn’t the obvious hero of the hour when he replaced the tiring Clough with seven minutes of normal time remaining.

Dragged through a mill of missed chances at Rochdale and Walsall, the midfielder dubbed “Lenny” in the dressing room had not done much smiling since his arrival at the Macron.

Fans had debated prior to the game whether it was a wise move to extend his loan to the end of the season, with today’s game against Coventry theoretically his last in a white shirt.

One wonders how many minds were changed when after picking up a mistake from Scunthorpe goalscorer Bishop, Henry drove for goal and buried a shot into the bottom corner deep into stoppage time. Yes, there was a deflection, but after suffering such misfortune in front of goal in the last few months, he deserves that much.

The next 60 seconds were a bit of a blur. Grown men were getting emotional – and not just down on the pitch. It was a footballing exorcism for fans who spent months worrying their club could cease to exist.

A couple of minutes of keep-ball later and referee Madley blew his whistle for full time, one of the few actions he got completely right all day, and sparked another roar of satisfaction.

With clearer mind, you had to feel for the visitors. An early Paddy Madden goal had been ruled out for a debatable offside and Ben Alnwick had come to his side’s rescue on a couple of occasions.

Sheffield United’s last-minute victory over Northampton Town put them top of the table before kick off, and Scunthorpe’s defeat drops them to third. But on this evidence, the fight for promotion is far from over.

Wanderers have won 10 consecutive home games in all competitions for the first time since 1993, the year Bruce Rioch helped draw a line under the doom and gloom at Burnden and got the club moving back in the right direction again.

One of the heroes of that team, Tony Kelly, had screamed himself hoarse celebrating Henry’s goal up in the press box.

While we are only at the halfway stage of the season, there are parallels to be drawn between that team of Burnden Park favourites and how things are panning out under Parkinson.

His affirming influence has helped to restore some pride in a team that had lost its way. All we need now is an FA Cup giant-killing, so Big Sam and Crystal Palace beware.

Parkinson paid tribute to the fans’ part in proceedings and to his players’ spirit to keep themselves in the game and then press on for a win. But typically, he was not about to get carried away with a game against Coventry in such close proximity.

“To win a game like that is special, and the atmosphere today was outstanding, it really was,” he said. “We knew it would be a tough game because Scunthorpe were top for a reason – they have a good squad and I’m delighted we came out on top.

“But we can’t hang around and celebrate. The result needs to be put to bed quickly because we’ve given ourselves a good platform now to go and win a game on Monday.

“To win a game like that gives everyone a massive buzz. It’s important we keep our focus, though, and make sure that when we come back to face Crystal Palace in the cup, we’ve done ourselves justice.”