RESOLUTE, hard-working but with just enough class to get along – Phil Parkinson’s “Unbreakables” have done it again.

Wanderers have not scrapped so hard for three points in some time but if proof were still needed that they have shaken off last season’s malaise, here it was.

The now notorious banner, held up in full view at Fulham’s Craven Cottage by a set of fans in early May, bore a forthright message: No Hope, no effort. Though entirely true of that group, one hopes it becomes as irrelevant in time as the one Manchester United fans once held up in protest at Sir Alex Ferguson.

Zach Clough finished off a wonderful move midway through the first half for his seventh goal of the season. At that stage it seemed Bolton could score at will.

But as the hosts changed their system after the break, the free-flowing football was replaced with guts and grit. It was no less enjoyable to watch.

Northampton may argue John-Joe O’Toole had a legitimate goal ruled out for offside, or that their constant pressure warranted a share of the points. And the Cobblers would be entirely right in that assumption.

There is something entirely more satisfying, however, about emerging from opposing territory with three points earned with sweat and good fortune in equal measure.

Five years ago, the town was mourning the loss of the great Gary Speed, who of course played a leading role in one of Wanderers’ most renowned smash-and-grab operations at Manchester City in 2005.

Back then, Stuart Pearce’s Blues hit the woodwork five times, battering Jussi Jaaskelainen’s goal, before Richard Dunne’s handball offered the old stager a chance to strike a winner from the spot.

This was not nearly as one-sided. In fact, had the Whites shown a little more conviction in the penalty box in the first 45 minutes this would have gone down as a comfortable win.

Sammy Ameobi and Andy Taylor offered great quality from the wide areas and put in crosses which were begging to be put into the back of the net.

We have known for some time Parkinson lacks a genuine goal-sniffer in his ranks – and perhaps this is where the manager must focus his attention in the coming weeks and months.

Northampton boasted a former Wanderer in Matt Taylor, who still has the propensity to fire at will with that howitzer of a left foot. He went close on a few occasions in the first half, no more so than when he shook the woodwork after sliding in on Kenji Gorre’s cross with the kind of predatory instinct his former club had lacked.

For the home side to have ended the half on level terms would have been unjust, given that Wanderers’ link-up play in the final third of the pitch had been a joy to behold at times.

Jay Spearing fizzed a shot just over, Ameobi volleyed straight at keeper David Cornell and on a few occasions the ball was arrowed temptingly across the six yard box without a single Bolton player in sight.

Clough was in the right place on 25 minutes when Taylor, Josh Vela and Ameobi combined with precision to create an opportunity he rolled casually under Cornell’s body for the game’s only goal.

At 21 the young striker has plenty left to learn in the game but few Bolton players – even in the Premier League glory days – have glided so gracefully at full pace or offered such a silky first touch. And complemented by the rangy, unpredictable presence of Ameobi on the opposite wing, Wanderers looked dangerous up until the break.

Last season’s League Two champions went 31 games unbeaten at one stage but have come in for some flak from their fans in recent weeks after three straight defeats.

It is hard to imagine Rob Page’s side will have any problems this season, given the ferocity with which they attacked in the second half – spurred by subs O’Toole and Marc Richards.

Replays have shown the Cobblers should have had an equaliser when O’Toole stabbed the ball over the line from close range, only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside.

That aside, Wanderers were simply impenetrable. Tom Thorpe led the way with some valiant blocks but full-backs Lawrie Wilson and Andy Taylor also provided a stubborn last line of defence, tucking in when needed.

Derik Osede – who had actually started the game a little nervously – ended up throwing himself about David Wheater-style to protect Ben Alnwick’s goal.

And the Wanderers keeper was also in good form, when needed, making good saves from Taylor, Sam Hoskins and O’Toole in the final stages.

Parkinson did what he could to arrest the waves of home attacks, bringing on James Henry for the fading Ameobi.

Thorpe’s powerful shot warmed Cornell’s palms in the last 10 minutes but Wanderers had all-but abandoned their attacking principles by that point, Chris Taylor and Jamie Proctor coming on only to aid the defensive effort.

Referee Darren Deadman had struggled to keep a check on things in the second half, most notably the Whites’ gamesmanship to slow down the game. Five minutes of added time flashed up on the fourth official’s board and was then displayed like a warning beacon on the big screen to the right of the 1,214 travelling fans.

It was dangerous territory we have trod before. This time, however, Wanderers have a manager and a mentality to see out a result. And despite Northampton’s best efforts, they found no way through.

Parkinson’s side has now conceded fewer goals per game than anyone else in the Football League, edging about Premier League Tottenham and Championship Brighton with this well-earned result.

Some potentially bigger tests lie on the horizon but in this form, there should be nothing to fear.