Brentford 0, Huddersfield Town 1

Apr 25 2005 By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GOALKEEPER Paul Rachubka went from villain to hero as Town dug deep to disrupt Brentford's play-off push.

Striker Pawel Abbott clinched a sixth win in seven games for Peter Jackson's battling side with what former Match of the Day commentator Barry Davies would surely have described as a "peach of a goal" 26 minutes into a tense contest at Griffin Park.

But it needed an impressively determined defensive effort to keep the Bees at bay, especially during a one-sided second half.

All 12 outfield players who featured made a contribution to the clean sheet, but underpinning it all was Rachubka.

At fault for the last-ditch leveller which allowed Colchester to wreck Town's late play-off bid the week before, the former Charlton stopper bounced back to produce a fine display.

Seven times he confidently collected or blocked the ball, remaining a figure of calm as Brentford's players, and fans, grew more and more agitated.

The final whistle sounded soon after Rachubka appeared through a mass of players - including Brentford keeper Stuart Nelson, who was pushed up front for the final frantic onslaught - to coolly pluck John Salako's inswinging corner from the air.

And the frustration proved too much for home skipper Stewart Talbot, who had to be restrained by teammates as he lunged towards one particularly critical London supporter.

"A fan who has paid his entrance money has the right to criticise," accepted Brentford boss Martin Allen.