BOTH Huddersfield Town’s Under 21 and 18 teams have Professional Development League play-off semi-final dates at Charlton.
The 21s cemented their trip to the PDL II South champions by winning 1-0 against Leeds at Thorp Arch, where Joel Lynch notched an 80th-minute winner.
The Wales international defender controlled superbly before shooting home.
Town knew that only defeat by seven goals or more would prevent them extending their season, and produced a professional performance to see off a strong Leeds side.
The Whites had Ryan Hall and Aidy White among their starters and dominated for large parts of the game, but found Town’s veteran keeper Nick Colgan in inspired form.
With 10 minutes gone, the Irishman made a superb rebound stop after failing to gather a corner before parrying away Hall’s viciously struck free-kick just a few minutes later.
Colgan was alert again in the 20th minute to deny Hall once more before Dominic Poleon shot wide after skipping past Tommy Smith.
Town’s only real opening of the first 45 came courtesy of Jordan Sinnott and Matt Crooks, with the latter squaring for debutant Ben Atkinson, whose shot was saved.
Town looked more of a threat in the second half, but had to be alert to thwart White in the 56th minute.
Crooks had a 70th-minute effort disallowed for offside, and Godwin Abadaki should have done better than firing over from 12 yards out nine minutes later.
A goal was coming, though, and within 60 seconds, Lynch met Robbie McIntrye’s header and volleyed low into the far corner to make it eight wins in 12 games.
