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Huddersfield Town took all three points despite a laboured performance against Tranmere Rovers at the Galpharm Stadium.

Gary Roberts opened the scoring with a terrific volley on 24 minutes and late in the second half midfielder Scott Arfield killed the game off with a neat finish as Tranmere went in search for an equalizer.

There was some positive performances to note, Calum Woods shone at left back in his first start since the 2-1 win over Northampton Town in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Antony Kay was solid as the back and Alan Lee put in a good shift in the Town attack against Tranmere's Ian Goodison and Ash Taylor.

Four changes were made from the side that drew with Oldham last week, Gary Naysmith is out with a knee injury which allowed Woods to deputise. Donal McDermott was preferred to Gary Roberts, Jordan Rhodes returned to the starting eleven in place of Lee Novak and Alan Lee was given his first league start of the season in favour for Oscar Gobern.

Tranmere came to the Galpharm playing with five across midfield and it looked like it was going to be difficult for Town to break the visitors down with their physical presence.

Danny Ward was forced off just after ten minutes with an injury and was replaced by Gary Roberts and it was the sub that opened the scoring with 24 minutes played.
Jack Hunt's cross was not properly cleared by Goodison and the ball fell kindly to the winger who lashed in a left-footed volley past Owain Fon Williams.

The visitors could have made an instant reply when from a Tranmere corner defender Ash Taylor put a free header over the bar after getting away from his marker.

Town had a couple of chances to extend their lead, both from corners. Jamie McCombe had an effort cleared off the line and Anton Robinson failed to hit the target with a close-range header.

Alan Lee was unlucky not to score just before the break, Tommy Miller found Roberts down the left and his cross to the far post found Lee in a crowded penalty area but his powerful header was smartly turned over the bar by Fon Williams.

Just after the break Fon Williams pulled off another smart save to deny Jordan Rhodes. The striker received the ball on the edge of the Tranmere box and with a sharp turn, fired a low shot which was tipped around the post by the Tranmere stopper.

Enoch Showunmi was allowed a free run at goal but his attempted one-two with Max Power was superbly blocked by Kay to deny Tranmere an effort on goal. Kay and Showunmi would battle all match with the Town defender receiving a dislodged tooth for his troubles.

As the second half progressed Tranmere grew more in to the game and had a decent shout for a penalty just after the hour mark but Woods was deemed not to have brought down Lucas Akins when the two tangled in the box.

Ian Bennett was called upon to keep Town in the lead when Jon Welsh's 25-yard effort was tipped around the post with the veteran keeper at full stretch.

Town did have chances at the other end, sub Lee Novak went close with a shot that flew just wide of the post and Roberts' cross found Lee but the big striker's header flew over the bar.

Ian Goodison failed to hit the target with Bennett scrambling across his goal from a Tranmere free-kick down the right flank but it was Town who would find that second goal.

With seven minutes to go substitute Scott Arfield wrapped up all three points after some fine play between Roberts and Novak. Roberts' pass released Novak behind the Tranmere defence and the striker's cut back to the edge of the area saw Arfield hit a sweetly struck shot that flew past Fon Williams.

Tranmere sub Zoumana Bakayogo should have down better after good play from Akins. The sub had beaten Hunt but his short from the edge of the area failed to tested Bennett and flew harmlessly wide.

The main thing is Town are winning their home games which is now three on the bounce. Next up for The Terriers is a tough trip away to Sheffield United on Tuesday night.

Sean's Star Man - Calum Woods
The former Dunfermline man had a solid game at left back in place of the injured Gary Naysmith. Produced some smart tackles and was willing to throw himself in front of the ball to deny any Tranmere chance and on that performance he could keep his place for the trip to Bramall Lane.

Teams:

Town: Bennett, Woods, Kay, McCombe, Hunt, Ward (Roberts 11), Miller, Robinson, McDermott (Arfield 77), Rhodes (Novak 64), Lee.
Subs not used: Colgan, Cooper.

Tranmere: Fon Williams, Raven, Goodison, Taylor, Buchanan, Welsh, Weir, Power (Labadie 77), Akins, McGurk (Bakayogo 73), Showunmi (Tirayki 62).
Subs not used: Coughlin, Kay.

Attendance: 12,013