There was a tense atmosphere at the Reebok Stadium as a packed out section of travelling supporters made the short trip, seemingly intent on proving their former Messiah wrong for leaving Turf Moor.
And while they backed their team vociferously, it was Burnley who ended up in the bottom three of the Premier League after an absorbing contest.
Burnley created the first chance when Graham Alexander's low cross was toe-poked over the bar by Michael Duff.
Alexander then followed Chris McCann off the field injured, and their departure seemed to have an unsettling influence on the Clarets.
Shortly after Fabrice Muamba had blasted a shot just over the bar for the home side, Clark Carlisle headed nervously out of his own keeper's grasp for a corner, which was headed narrowly wide by Gary Cahill.
Next it was Duff's turn to make a mistake as his poor header nearly allowed Chung-Yong Lee in on goal.
Bolton were not having it all their own way, and Brian Laws' men were predictably impressive going forward.
Wade Elliott's excellent pass to Steven Fletcher set the Scotland international up for a chance on the edge of the box, but Jussi Jaaskelainen was equal to his effort and Chris Eagles stabbed the rebound over the bar.
Bolton chose that moment to take the lead, and again it was Davies who was the main creator with a perfectly timed ball for Chung-Yong to chase down the middle. His well-struck shot cannoned down off the bar, and a yard or so the right side of the line.
Burnley could have drawn level just before the break when Eagles' shot deflected off Knight and narrowly wide.
Bolton fashioned a number of half chances immediately after the break, with Brian Jensen forced to scurry off his line to block substitute Johan Elmander's effort and Tamir Cohen heading narrowly over the bar.
A single-goal lead made for a tense finish - but Bolton held their nerve to record an important victory.