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LEE NOVAK led the way as Huddersfield Town smashed Sheffield United’s unbeaten record on a sweet night in South Yorkshire.

Novak notched twice and Oscar Gobern grabbed the other goal and Lee Clark’s side downed the League I leaders with a determined and well-organised display.

And while Town’s support was limited as fans boycotted the game in protest at the high admission charge, the thousand-plus who did stump up the £28.50 charge must have savoured every moment.

Lee Clark made four changes to his starting side as Town made their first appearance at Bramall Lane in more than a decade.

Unusually for an away game, he set up with two up front, Lee Novak getting the nod ahead of Jordan Rhodes to partner Alan Lee.

Damien Johnson was handed a first start since returning from knee surgery while Oscar Gobern returned to central midfield after sitting out Saturday’s 2-0 home win over Tranmere.

Scott Arfield was on the right, with Anton Robinson, Tommy Miller and Donal McDermott the men to drop out as Danny Ward proved his recovery from the ankle knock which forced him out at the weekend.

The rivals exchanged headed efforts in the opening two minutes, with United’s Chris Porter putting the ball just wide and Novak, set up by Ward, bringing a save from Steve Simonsen.

Town stopper Ian Bennett, who spent four years with the Blades before joining Town, then had to be alert when Richard Cresswell cut in from the left and fired in a low shot.

It was end to end in the early stages and after Gobern shot wide from Lee’s knock down United’s Lee Williamson floated a teasing 15th minute effort on to the roof of Bennett’s net.

Town fans behind the goal breathed a sigh of relief, and five minutes later they were on their feet as Novak put their side ahead in front of the United supporters.

Ward unleased a trademark long range left-foot shot which Simonsen could only parry and the alert Geordie reacted first to slide in a low shot into the net.

That was a big lift for the visitors who came close to another goal when Lee headed on target from a Calum Wood cross only for Simonsen to block the attempt.

Stephen Quinn was wide of the mark with a 30 yard free kick for the home side before Cresswell surged to the goalline to produce a dangerous looking pull back only for the ball to be cleared with no United player able to get a touch.

A leveller looked certain in the 35th minute but Chris Porter somehow managed to send his shot following Matt Lowton’s cross wide from close range.

And if the Blades fans were disappointed by that they were stunned when Town then struck twice in three minutes.

First Jack Hunt’s free kick was headed on by Lee and while the ball was cleared, it was returned first time by Arfield for Novak to turn in his second of the night and seventh of the season.

Town’s fans were still celebrating that goal when Gobern made it three with his first for the club when he headed in the back post from Ward’s corner from the right.

Town claimed a fourth from another Ward corner soon after, but referee Graham Salisbury ruled Novak’s effort did not cross the line before it was scrambled clear.

United made two half-time changes and one of their substitutes, striker Ched Evans got the chance to make an immediate impression from a 25 yrad kick, but Bennett was equal to his well struck effort.

Lowton curled a 58th minute shot just wide but Town were still attacking with menace and Lee rifled a long range shot just inches over before heading narrowly wide from another Woods cross.

Evans broke through one-on-one in the 66th minute, but Bennett came out bravely and the Blades were blunted once again.