Huddersfield Town boss Chris Powell admitted he rued not securing all three points in the enthralling 4-4 draw with Derby County, but was proud of the efforts from each of his players as the Terriers stretched their unbeaten run to five matches.
Town led 3-1 at the interval as they recovered from the early setback of Tom Ince's long-range strike to move two goals clear thanks to Oscar Gobern, captain Mark Hudson and Reece James, who netted his first for the club straight from a corner.
But Derby came on strongly in the second half, with Simon Dawkins and Jesse Lingard making it 3-3 before Nahki Wells and Tom Ince traded goals in a topsy-turvy second period.
And Powell felt the half-time break halted Town in their tracks after an explosive first-half display and subsequently invited Derby back into the game, but the Terriers boss was also quick to congratulate both fans and players for the part they played in a thrilling clash.
“The way the players turned it around from being 1-0 down to be 3-1 up at half-time was testament to them; they were outstanding in that first period,” Powell said.
“I thought Oscar Gobern played really well; he’s made a real difference to the team and deserved his goal.
“Mark Hudson hadn’t scored at home and we’ve all being saying he need to. Funnily enough, his two goals this year are now both against Derby
“Reece got the third to seal the turnaround and half-time actually stopped the momentum for us, because we were definitely in the ascendancy and had put Derby to the sword.
“The big turning point was Lee Grant’s ball in the face save from Nahki (Wells). That would’ve made it 4-1, but instead they go up the other end and make it 3-2. Then the pressure’s really on and we concede.
In pictures: Huddersfield Town 4-4 Derby County
“We went 4-3 up and we have goals disallowed, only to concede again. It was a game that had everything.
“Derby were clinical. Alex Smithies didn’t actually have a save to make and he’s conceded four goals, which shows what kind of game it was.
“Of course I wanted all three points today, but we’ve taken a point and I’m sure our fans loved most of it.
“Our fans were terrific and I think they deserved the win along with the players’ efforts.
“We more than matched a very, very good team who quite possibly could be playing in the Premier League next year.”
The defensive problems which have plagued Town this season proved the downfall once more for Powell's charges as their goals conceded tally moved to 73, but the manager was determined not to let the negatives spoil what he felt was a superb attacking spectacle.
“I think we’ve being doing it pretty well of late, but I’ve just reiterated to the players that you’ve got to manage pressurised moments and take the sting out the game when things are getting on top of you,” he added.
“That’s game management and we didn’t do that well enough today. I think if we had, we could be talking about a fantastic home win.
“That’s disappointing but I’m not going dwell on that because I’ve also told the players that it was brilliant performance for large parts. We’ve got to take a lot of plaudits and positives from today.”
