Huddersfield Town 0, Southend Utd 0

Dec 19 2005 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Man of the Match: Nathan Clarke

Marshalled the Town defence superbly and showed confidence in winning early tackles and headers. Superb sliding tackle on Lawson summed up his excellent day. Hit top form once again

How they rated:

Paul Rachubka Stood solid to deny Gower one-on-one from Southend's best chance and largely untroubled for the clean sheet Rating: 6/10

Andy Holdsworth Found space at times but Southend's solid banks of four made it difficult. Had a couple of good early crosses smartly cleared Rating: 6/10

Tom Clarke Filled in at left-back and was performing well when forced off injured. One curling pass to Schofield stood out Rating: 6/10

Nathan Clarke Very impressive display. Quality challenges at the back throughout and created one great chance for Pav Abbott Rating: 8/10

David Mirfin Superb in the first half when his covering work caught the eye and he hardly put a foot wrong. Finished up at left-back Rating: 6/10

Danny Schofield Sent one curling effort just wide and supplied some testing crosses. Always trying to find the all-important break Rating: 6/10

Jon Worthington Did a lot of unselfish grafting to try and spark a brighter rhythm as Southend put constant pressure on the midfield Rating: 6/10

Mark Hudson Tried to find his best probing passing but, like many others, it wasn't one of his best days. Off for Ahmed on 70 minutes Rating: 6/10

Chris Brandon Very busy in the first half hour and always willing to tackle back. Made good runs but couldn't find an opening Rating: 7/10

Andy Booth Worked hard but didn't have it all his own way against Barrett and Prior. Close with volley and header Rating: 6/10

Pawel Abbott Like Booth, worked hard to make the most of few openings. Fired wide when put through by Clarke (N) first half Rating: 6/10

Turning Point:

Perhaps the most critical moment of the game came on 65 minutes when Paul Rachubka saved soundly from Mark Gower when he broke free into the box, but it was a fine one-handed save by Darryl Flahavan from a header by returning sub Martin McIntosh which prevented Town snatching three points

Spotlight on the ref:

Mick Fletcher had a pretty decent game and didn't get carried away early by handing out silly bookings as the teams settled into a tight game.

Eventually he booked Bentley and Prior for the visiting side and McIntosh for Town, but he was on the spot and ran the game nicely overall. Didn't let any time-wasting go unnoticed either.

Southend United: Flahavan; Jupp, Prior, Barrett, Wilson; Bentley, Guttridge (Cole 86), Smith (Pettefer 70), Gower; Gray, Lawson (Campbell-Ryce 74). Subs not used: Edwards, Ademeno.