Lee Tomlin has turned from tormentor-in-chief to unlikely ally after orchestrating Huddersfield Town’s defeat by Bristol City.

Tomlin, who is on loan at Ashton Gate from Premier League side Bournemouth, showed his top-flight qualities with an exquisite strike to cap a miserable trip to the West Country for Town fans.

But Tomlin, who was a member of the Peterborough side who pipped Town to promotion in the League One play-off final at Old Trafford during Lee Clark’s reign as manager, jumped to Town’s defence.

“We knew what Huddersfield are like, but we beat them at their own game,” said the former Middlesbrough playmaker.

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“Huddersfield press opponents, pass the ball well and they like to keep the ball a lot – and I think we did to them what they normally do to other teams.

“We kept the ball a lot and then it was quick play, which is how we caught them out.

“We were patient in the first half but we needed that second goal early in the second half to make us more comfortable.

“Then we got another and another and it’s always easy when you two or three ahead.”

Tomlin feels Town should not be too dispirited by the 4-0 scoreline, because they caught City on a very good day.

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“I really think it was a great performance from everyone, especially the young lads that went on, but it needed to be because Huddersfield are a very good side,” he said.

“They just happened to meet us at the wrong time because everything clicked for us. I’m sure they’ll learn from it and bounce back.”

Tomlin added: “We made a lot of changes, which proves the quality of lads we have in the changing room plus ones that haven’t been playing, and this time we believed in each other and that meant it was a top-drawer display.”

Tomlin revealed his goal left former Boro teammate Dean Whitehead cursing.

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“When the ball came to me, I saw Deano coming towards me and he knows what I’m about because of our days at Middlesbrough,” said Tomlin.

“He tried to close me down and I flicked it over his head – and then he said something straight away that wasn’t very nice when I put the ball in the top bin.

“In the warm-up I was mucking around with the goalkeeping coach and when he passed it to me I flicked it over his head and shot.

“It didn’t go in, but I like to think that sort of thing will come off in games and it did perfectly, which was really satisfying.”