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Even a first half penalty save could stop Huddersfield Town's unbeaten start to the season ended at Bristol Rovers' Memorial Stadium as Town sank to a 1-0 defeat thanks to a second half penalty from Jeff Hughes in front of a crowd of 6952 that included 600 travelling Town faithful.

After good performance against Southampton and the 7-1 thrashing of Brighton in midweek confidence was high. Town boss Lee Clark made a surprising change from the Brighton line-up on Tuesday night. Clark had hinted that he would be resting striker Lee Novak instead playing on-loan Manchester United midfielder Danny Drinkwater playing off the shoulder of lone front man Jordon Rhodes. Alex Smithies in goal, Peltier, Butler, Peter Clarke and Skarz were the back four with Roberts, Kay, Tom Clarke and Pilkington the four across the middle.

The first defeat of the season for Town who struggled to fashion any clear cut chances against a up-beat Bristol Rovers side.
Smithies was Town's main man in a first half bossed by Rovers, Town showed little up front while Antony Kay and Tom Clarke needed to make a show of strength in the heart of midfield as Rovers were keen to get their first home win after two successes on the road.

Peter Clarke and Andy Butler had to work hard against the speedy, one time a Town target, Jo Kuffor and Joe Skarz had to be on his toes to produce a battling display in combating winger David Pipe.

Kuffor sparked the move that sent in Chris Lines and when Smithies was penalised for bringing down the midfielder, referee Keith Hill pointed to the spot and had no hesitation of booking the young goalkeeper.
Smithies made up for error saving comfortably from Daryl Duffy's spot kick to deny Rovers the lead.

While Town struggled to create chances, Smithies came to the rescue again by springing high to his left to beat away a stinging drive by Kuffor.
At the break Town made a change bringing off Kay in favour for Theo Robinson to try and bolster Town's attacking options.

Town played better in the second half, going at it with more dash and purpose, though Kuffor had them worried again we he broke free but Duffy failed to connect from his low cross.
Gary Roberts looked more his usual self with some testing runs and from one cross by the former Ipswich man, Anthony Pilkington headed over the bar.

Roberts was again in the thick of the action, saving Town from going 2-0 down, clearing off the line from Rovers' Bryon Anthony.

When Town won a corner, Aaron Lescott scrambled the ball off the line from a Peter Clarke header with Robinson blasting over the loose ball.
Town had a shout for a penalty when is appeared a Rovers player had handled the ball from a Town corner but referee Keith Hill was having none of it.

Robinson broke free but Fraser Foster advanced quickly to get the first touch, but there was no-let off for the Terriers as the Pirates won a second penalty with just nine minutes left on the clock. Butler was ruled to have handled after going down under a challenge.

Smithies could not repeat his feat of the first half as Hughes fired the ball into the top right corner with Smithies diving low to his left.

Substitute Lionel Ainsworth had a half-hit shot saved which proved to be Town's last attack as they lost their unbeaten tag.

Town's first defeat of the season and the doom and gloom merchants rolled in. Still a long way to go but away from home Town need to get it right but I'm sure it will come.

Sean's Star Man - Alex Smithies The future England number one made some smart saves and made up for his error by saving the first-half spot kick. Kept Town in it in the first half but could do nothing about the well taken second half penalty.

Teams:

Rovers: Forster, Regan, Coles, Anthony, Lescott, Pipe, Campbell, Lines, Hughes, Kuffor (Blizzard 85), Duffy (Elliott 77)

Town: Smithies, Peltier, P Clarke, Butler, Skarz, Pilkington (Ainsworth 87), T Clarke, Kay (Robinson 46), Roberts, Rhodes (Novak 75), Drinkwater.
Subs not used: Glennon, N Clarke, Collins, Simpson