Tranmere Rovers 2, Huddersfield 1

Feb 4 2006 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Man of the Match: Dan Smith

Looked much more confortable when switched to left-back for illness-hit Danny Adams. Supplied some decent crosses and was involved in most of Town's best passing moves

How They Rated:

Phil Senior Didn't have a serious save to make, beaten by Tranmere's only two efforts on target. One bad mix-up with Clarke Rating: 4/10

Andy Holdsworth Attacked well down the right but overran the ball a couple of times when well placed. Fifth booking and now suspended Rating: 5/10

Danny Adams Feeling under the weather and Town's diabolical start won't have made him feel any better. Taken off 24mins Rating: 4/10

Martin McIntosh Challenged for the same header as Adams before Tranmere's first but recovered to make some solid tackles Rating: 5/10

Nathan Clarke Finished with a knock. Featured brightly going forward in the second half, but he backed off Facey before he scored Rating: 4/10

Chris Brandon Lively at times but struggled for a clear breakthrough around the Tranmere box when Town were well on top Rating: 5/10

Jon Worthington Covered acres of ground and, while his shooting was nothing to write home about, he did some solid defending Rating: 6/10

Michael Collins Made Town's goal with a strong run and pass from the centre. Earned a booking but also the subject of a horror tackle Rating: 6/10

Dan Smith Started on the left wing for illness-hit Danny Schofield but shone after moving to left back. Very sound Rating: 7/10

David Graham Rarely in the game first half but scored a great goal three minutes after the restart to put Town level. Decent display Rating: 6/10

Pawel Abbott Hit the side netting when teammates were better placed first half. Taken off at half time for Booth to pep things up Rating: 4/10

Turning Point:

The super one-handed save by Dino Seremet from Andy Booth's goalbound header 12 minutes from time was crucial. Had that gone in from Nathan Clarke's long throw-in, Town would almost certainly have won the match.

Slack marking, though, shortly afterwards, cost them dear when Delroy Facey broke away to score a fine winner

Spotlight on the ref:

Began brandishing cards too early in my opinion, but Howard Webb was spot on with the dismissal of Calvin Zola on 20 minutes for a late, high, challenge on Michael Collins which caused a massive melee in front of the Town dug-out. Should have spotted a foul on Andy Booth before Facey broke for the winner

Tranmere Rovers: Seremet, Francis, Roberts, Jackson, Sharps; Aiston (McAteer 57), Harrison, O'Leary (Jennings 75), Tremarco (Facey 57); Greenacre, Zola. Subs not used: Wilson, Goodison.