Huddersfield Town 0, Southend Utd 0

Dec 19 2005 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Peter Jackson's side worked hard enough and never lacked desire, but they were frustrated by Southend's well-drilled banks of four in a tightly contested game.

It didn't help that Town wasted possession too often after initial bright groundwork - giving the ball away too easily on too many occasions - and some sections of support registered their displeasure with booing at half time and after the final whistle.

That was perhaps harsh, even though Town were well short of their fluent and entertaining best, and the anxiety was reflected in the way Jackson's men snatched at their best chances.

Those fell to Pawel Abbott (twice) and Andy Booth in the first half, while Booth, Danny Schofield and returning substitute Martin McIntosh all went close in the second as Town worked hard to try and overcome Southend's impressive pressure play in midfield.

Lively Chris Brandon and Schofield created Abbott's first chance on nine minutes, a header which he landed on top of the net, while his second on 25 came from a superb Nathan Clarke pass which the touch and shot couldn't match.

Booth rushed a 36th-minute volley to fire over the top and Town couldn't set their sights even as late as 65 minutes when Schofield curled an effort wide after Mark Hudson and Brandon had worked well through the centre.

Almost immediately, Southend were denied the best chance of the match when Paul Rachubka did well to stand tall and save from Mark Gower when he was clean through on goal.