Huddersfield Town 1, Brentford 1

Nov 8 2004 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Last season, he would have scored and won the match. This time he aimed a few inches wide and the chance of last-gasp glory was gone.

It was a shame, but Town can reflect on coming through a terrifically tough examination with a point and put the lessons learned to good use later in the season.

Man of the Match: Nathan Clarke

Magnificent at the back and his long throw put some real pressure on the Brentford back line. Scouts from Wigan and Leeds United will have taken note. He's in tremendous form

How they rated:

Paul Rachubka Made brilliant saves to deny Salako and Lawrence to keep Town in the game and made a solid contribution Rating: 8/10

Andy Holdsworth Hardly put a foot wrong all game and went close to scoring with a cracking drive just minutes after Abbott got the equaliser Rating: 8/10

Tony Carss Moved to left wing-back at the expense of Lloyd, allowing Schofield to return in midfield. Made some clever passes Rating: 7/10

Steve Yates Unflappable showing and brought the best out of his teammates. Only taken off to allow Town an extra striker Rating: 7/10

Nathan Clarke Inspirational and did enough in the second half to just shade top mark from Holdsworth and returning Rachubka Rating: 9/10

David Mirfin Strong and dependable, he made some valuable interceptions when the Brentford strikers were weaving through Rating: 7/10

Chris Brandon Taken off when fading in the second half, he did a lot of valuable chasing back to stop counter attacks Rating: 7/10

Jon Worthington Town's new team captain did his best work when helping out the defence and the physical battle suited his combative style Rating: 7/10

Danny Schofield Unlucky not to score with a couple of efforts but teed up Abbott for the equaliser and showed good skills Rating: 7/10

Pawel Abbott Cracked in his 12th goal of the season and unlucky with super skill and a volley against the bar in the first half Rating: 7/10

Junior Mendes Unlucky with a follow up in the first half and had a good chance blocked in the second. Involved in plenty of good things Rating: 7/10

Spotlight on the ref:

CARL BOYESON, who did a sound job at the stadium last season when Tony Carss scored his wonder goal against Torquay United, this time had a horrible match.

Quite a few off-the-ball niggles went unpunished and, even after consulting his assistant about an elbow on Steve Yates in the second half, he gave nothing more than a free-kick.

One handball by Sodje in the first half looked a pretty clear penalty, but several other decisions left everyone baffled and the bulk of the crowd booing in frustration at the end.

Brentford: (4-4-2) Nelson, O'Connor, Turner, Sodje, Frampton, Tabb (Harrold 90), Hargreaves, Talbot (Lawrence 52), Salako, Rankin, Burton.

Subs not used: Myers, Rhodes, Julian.