JASON BYRNE came to the rescue of Huddersfield Town’s juniors as his strike 14 minutes from time ensured a 1-1 draw with Bolton Wanderers in their first round FA Youth Cup clash.
Derek Mann’s side were set for a trip to Burnden Park after making heavy weather of the contest at Leeds Road.
It was the Trotters who made the better start and they duly took the lead with a scrambled goal from Alan Stubbs after 12 minutes, and the visitors rarely looked troubled until the final 20 minutes of the game when Town finally found some urgency.
Up to that point Town’s keeper Robert Wraight had been the star turn with a number of good saves, notably from Wanderers’ striker Michael Jeffrey who had a string of chances.
However, Town winger Kevin Donovan and full back Simon Charlton began to make in-roads in the closing stages and opportunities began to fall the way of front-runners Byrne and John Hilditch.
On 76 minutes Town managed to draw level when Karl Rainton started a move releasing Donovan on the right flank, the winger cut in and Bolton keeper Simon Sharrock could not hold his drive and there was Byrne to turn home the rebound.
Town: Wraight, Boothroyd, Charlton, Helliwell, Crossley, Weatherhead, Donovan, Rainton, J Burne, Hilditch, B Byrne (Haylock 57 mins). Subs not used: McKee.
