HUDDERSFIELD Town put their push for automatic promotion firmly back on track last night.

Not only did they gain revenge for the Boxing Day defeat at the Galpharm, but they closed the gap on second-placed Bournemouth with a performance that suggested they can make a strong challenge in the last 13 games of the season.

Anthony Pilkington sealed victory with his 14th goal of the season after just 12 minutes in what was a necessary show of strength after recent draws, which had taken the wind out of Town’s sails to some extent

Boss Lee Clark opted for a 4-5-1 formation, but Town were looking fluent going forward and Gary Roberts and Pilkington, in particular, were very quick to support Lee Novak up front.

The team option looked a good one for the whole of the first period as Antony Kay and skipper Peter Clarke ensured the Hartlepool threat was closed out and keeper Ian Bennett had a surprisingly uneventful 45 minutes.

Town weren’t slow to create chances in attack and went ahead (after 12 minutes) when former Town defender Sam Collins failed to deal with a through ball under pressure and the subsequent consternation in the United penalty area saw Pilkington pounce to fire in from 10 yards to close within two of leading scorer Jordan Rhodes.

It wasn’t long before Town were causing problems again with a Roberts raid on the left leading to a near-post delivery to Pilkington, who turned smartly but found his shot well smothered by Scott Flinders in the United goal..

Town had to be patient as they looked to open the home defence again and it wasn’t until the 33rd minute that they created another clear-cut chance, but Pilkington struggled to control a ball that bounced to him awkwardly and his shot was directly at Flinders.

On the stroke of half time, a clumsy challenge by Peter Hartley on Novak led to a free-kick in perfect range for Joey Gudjonsson, but the contrived free-kick routine ended with the Icelander firing wide.