Huddersfield Town 0, Chesterfield 0

Aug 11 2004 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TOWN should be happy with a point because Chesterfield missed easily the best chances to win it.

Let off the hook by Caleb Folan and Mark Innes in the first half, Town twice survived late raids from Mark Allott when it seemed easier for the midfield man to score.

Allott also had the ball in the net, only to see his 83rd minute effort wiped out for handball - another debatable decision from lamentable referee Phil Joslin.

Full credit to Chesterfield, because they looked extremely well organised under Roy McFarland and their two banks of four made life very frustrating for Town.

Peter Jackson's side didn't help themselves with some wayward passing and by failing to utilise the flanks enough, but they were never lacking in endeavour and received tremendous backing from a crowd of 11, 942 - excellent considering bad weather throughout the day.

Town's first goalless draw on home soil since last November against Cheltenham, however, always looked on the cards following a sluggish start and then a shapeless period in the second half.

Not until Jackson introduced Chris Brandon against his old club and then Pawel Abbott eight minutes later did Town look anything like the promotion winning force which upset Stockport in the opener last Saturday.

Brandon, who took incredible verbal stick from the travelling fans in reaction to his summer move, brought fresh attacking ideas, more urgency to Town's play around the visitors' box and the energy to keep having a go for goal.