Blackpool 0, Huddersfield Town 1

Feb 15 2006 By Mel Booth, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Turning Point:

CHRIS BRANDON did the business just before half time. Firstly, he supplied a terrific through ball for David Graham and the Scot would have scored but for being pulled down by Jason Wilcox, who was sent off by referee Trevor Parkes. Then, with Abbott and Schofield on the bench, Brandon stepped up to score from the spot

Man of the Match:Jon Worthington

WHILE the defence worked really hard for a second successive clean sheet, no-one did more than the skipper to grind out a precious three points in a match ruined by rain and high winds

How they rated:

Phil Senior Positioned well to save from Prendergast in the second half and did well overall on a horrible night for the keepers Rating: 6/10

David Mirfin Retained his place at the expense of Holdsworth and had another strong game at right-back, never shirking a challenge. Rating: 6/10

Dan Smith Started brightly but was forced off after half time following a foul which wasn't even punished with a free-kick Rating: 6/10

Martin McIntosh Very commanding show and he produced a superb goalline block to prevent a goal from Bean on 33 minutes Rating: 7/10

Nathan Clarke Victim of a couple of very late, high tackles, he also produced some great challenges in the box to scupper chances Rating: 7/10

Michael Collins Denied on the break as he overran the ball to the keeper, he worked hard throughout and prompted well at times Rating: 6/10

Jon Worthington Kept the team ticking with his non-stop work. Mysteriously punished for some perfectly good tackles. Driving force Rating: 7/10

Gary T-Fletcher Never stopped grafting and was involved in several very promising attacks. Denied by one top covering tackle Rating: 6/10

Chris Brandon Played the through ball from which Graham was fouled for the penalty and stepped up to score confidently Rating: 7/10

Andy Booth Won just about the lot in the air and also clever on the deck in terrible conditions. Denied by the keeper's legs Rating: 6/10

David Graham Was twice within inches of extending his scoring streak to four straight games and was through to earn the penalty Rating: 6/10

Spotlight on the Ref

Apart from the penalty decision, which was spot on, Birmingham official Trevor Parkes had a very poor game. Players on both sides, but particularly Town, looked astonished at some of his decisions. Southern was lucky to stay on the pitch for a late lunge at Nathan Clarke while other horrible fouls went totally unpunished

Blackpool: Jones; Warrender (Lasley 57), P Clarke, Edwards, Wilcox; Morris, Southern, Bean, Prendergast (Kuqi 78); Murphy, Blinkhorn. Subs not used: Pogliacomi, Vernon, Fox.