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Not for the first time, Town left it late to snatch victory in a match the hosts dominated from start to finish. It was the influential Danny Schofield who smashed home the winner after 87 minutes of play, in a game where Town's top scorer Pawel Abbott had missed from the penalty spot in the first half, something of a rarity. The game was also noteable for Town's excellent defending, as the Terriers kept their 3rd clean sheet of the season.

Jackson opted to start with the same line-up that drew 1-1 at Colchester on Saturday, with Junior Mendes returning to the bench. Gary Taylor-Fletcher also featured on the bench, as did Mark Hudson.

The first twenty minutes of the game were noteable only for a training routine freekick which didn;t quite work, to the amusement of the 10640 in attendance. It became clear early on that Town were dominating possession wise, as the teams began to settle in. After 23 minutes, Town began to show more initiative, as Danny Schofield showed some quick feet to round two Tranmere defenders and get to the by-line, where he crossed low for Worthington. Unfortunately, the ball was cut out before it reached the combative midfielder, but was only cleared as far as Schofield on the edge of the area. Danny managed to get a shot away under pressure but it sailed harmlessly over the bar.

Just two minutes later, Tom Clarke connected with a Schofield cross from the right-hand side, but his header lopped over. As Town began to play more attacking football, the referee was to point to the spot as defender Goodison appeared to handle the ball as it dropped into the area. From my view only 20-30 yards from the incident, it clearly was not a penalty, so justice may have been done when Pawel Abbott's weak penalty was saved down low by Achterberg.

Tranmere's first real effort followed this, but Rachubka made an easy catch on his line. From this, Town countered and the ball fell at the feet of Chris Brandon who hit a stinging shot which the keeper could only parry. Unfortunately, there were no Town players following up in the area.

On 34 minutes, former Town player Delroy Facey had his first shot of the game after racing away from Tom Clarke. His shot was weak and an easy save for Rabs. Danny Schofield again forced the issue on 32 minutes, his audacious left foot effort flying over the bar. Just before half time Delroy would have another chance in exactly the same circumstances, however, this time his weak shot dribbled wide of the right hand upright.

On 43 minutes, Town should have taken the lead through Andy Booth. Again, it was Schofield who was the architect, showing delightful skill to wrongfoot the Tranmere right-back Alex Bruce, to put it on a plate for Booth by sliding the ball in low. Just as it looked like Booth would connect from four yards out, he scuffed his shot and the ball dribbled away harmlessly towards the corner flag.

Half Time
Huddersfield Town 0 - 0 Tranmere Rovers
No real half time comment here, only that Town were the dominant side and unlucky not to go into the break in the lead.

The first action of the second half came in the shape of a Tranmere free-kick from 25 yards, which was drilled underneath the airborne wall by Roberts. Rachubka did well to save down low to his right. After 63 minutes Town's next chance arrived. As the ball bounced around the Tranmere area dangerously, it was only half cleared to the waiting Pawel Abbott, who controlled into the air and struck a sweet volley from 25 yards out. The ball sailed cleanly through the air and was goalbound until the fingertips of Achterberg pushed it away.

On 64 minutes, Tony Carss played an intelligent through ball to the onrushing Brandon who stole in behind the static Tranmere defence. Although Brandon should have done better one-on-one with the keeper, he appeared to have been tripped before connecting with the ball, which hit the side netting. Brandon was the at the centre of the action again minutes later when he skipped past a Tranmere defender to the by-line and crossed low for Booth. Unfortunately, Achterberg was on hand to save low at Booth's feet.

Ten minutes later, Jon Worthington won a freekick on the edge of the Tranmere box. Tony Carss stepped up and curled it with his left foot, only to see his effort deflected wide by the wall. The resulting corner was headed over by Nathan Clarke. It was time for a change, and Jacko threw on Gary Taylor-Fletcher in the place of Chris Brandon to change to a more attacking formation.

After some late Tranmere pressure Town would steal three points at the death. Substituate Mark Hudson picked up the ball 40 yards out and drove forward to the apex of the penalty area. His cross was behind the three attackers in the box, but not behind Danny Schofield, who controlled and smashed the ball into the top corner of the goal. Not for the first time this season, three sides of the Galpharm erupted late on in the game as Town stayed on equal points with other joint leaders Swansea and Southend, who are above Town on goal difference.

Full Time
Huddersfield Town 1 - 0 Tranmere Rovers

A great performance all round. All 4 defenders and the goalkeeper were solid, the midfield was combative and inventive, even if the last ball was lacking sometimes, and both Booth and Abbott gave the Tranmere defenders problems. However, there is only one real canditate for man of the match. Danny Schofield was the creator of most Town attacks, and showed great composure to fire home the winner.



Huddersfield Town
P Rachubka, A Holdsworth, N Clarke, T Clarke, D Adams, C Brandon (80 G Taylor-Fletcher) , T Carss (84 M Hudson) , J Worthington, D Schofield, P Abbott (90 J Mendes) , A Booth
Subs: M Hudson, G Taylor-Fletcher, J McCombe, J Mendes, P Senior

Tranmere Rovers
J Achterberg, A Bruce, M Jackson, I Goodison, G Roberts, N Summerbee, M Rankine (73 S Jennings) , J McAteer, S Aiston, C Greenacre, D Facey
Subs: S Jennings, S Wilson, T Whitmore, C Tremarco, C Dagnall


Ref: J P Robinson
Att: 10640