Tranmere Rovers 2, Huddersfield 1

Feb 4 2006 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

POINTS went begging last night as Town's promotion hopes took a massive kick in the teeth.

Delroy Facey - a man born and raised in Huddersfield and who was wearing Town colours on loan less than a year ago - delivered the killer blow for 10-man Tranmere six minutes from time.

His team - without the sent-off Calvin Zola from the 21st minute onwards - had been under enormous pressure after David Graham had wiped out Carl Tremarco's fourth-minute opener.

But Town couldn't break two banks of superb Tranmere resistance and, in their eagerness to clinch back-to-back wins for the first time since October, got floored by a classic sucker punch.

Facey, to his credit, took the goal superbly.

Not only did he find space on the left flank to receive the ball as Town froze to appeal for a foul against substitute Andy Booth, but he took advantage of the space as Nathan Clarke and his colleagues backed off.

Then, as he cut onto his right foot around the 18-yard line, he unleashed a skidding low drive which Phil Senior couldn't even touch diving low to his left.

Town knew the game was up and, if they continue to defend so slackly - the first goal was also horribly simple for Brian Little's fired-up men - it's going to be tough to maintain close order on the top two in League I.

Just as worryingly, clubs are queueing up behind Town in the table after a run of just two wins from 12 League outings - far from promotion form.

Manager Peter Jackson made two changes with Michael Collins replacing Tom Clarke in central midfield and Chris Brandon returning for illness-hit Danny Schofield, but Town started horrendously badly and went behind following a long punt upfield by keeper Dino Seremet.