Match report: Leeds 1 - 2 Town

Nov 17 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

But with Gerry Murphy’s charges showing grit, determination and character, it was the visiting contingent whose voices could be heard at the end, with the chant “2-1 in your cup final” referring to Leeds’ claims that the return of the derby is a much bigger deal for Town than it is for them.

The 36th competitive clash of these two neighbours at Elland Road turned 27 seconds into the second half, when Joe Skarz, making his 50th start, levelled with his first career goal.

It came without a Leeds player touching the ball, and Town’s confidence was given a real boost.

Make no mistake, Leeds still had good chances to regain the lead, but Murphy’s men also attacked with more menace than they had in the first half, when Leeds looked quicker and sharper in both thought and deed.

The caretaker manager made two changes to the side which started the previous week’s 4-3 FA Cup first-round home defeat by Port Vale, with James Berrett coming in for Robbie Williams and taking the sweeper’s role and Keigan Parker replacing Phil Jevons up front.