JOE HARPER hit his first Huddersfield Town goal to defeat Preston at Deepdale – but from a promotion point of view, it came too late.
The Scottish teenager was making his third appearance after moving south of the border from Morton.
Leeds Road manager Tom Johnston had hoped Harper’s arrival would help Town clinch a return to the top flight.
But 1-0 defeats in the back-to-back Easter clashes with Division II leaders Wolves left his side stuck in sixth, with only two to go up.
“How frustrating that Town should drop vital points over Easter, all but ending their promotion hopes, then go and pinch victory against the side with the joint-best home record in the division,” wrote the Examiner’s Alan Driscoll of a Roses derby seen by 14,161.
“It seems that when they are no longer oppressed by psychological pressures and tensions, they have the midfield organisation and know-how to match their rivals.
“The scoreline margin might have been close, but Town won with plenty of energy to spare. Indeed had they pursued their openings with more ruthless vigour, they would have won more handsomely.”
After a lukewarm opening, the game sprang to life when Town went ahead in the 12th minute.
Brian Clark, signed earlier in the season from Bristol City, slotted his sixth goal for the club after latching onto Mick Meagan’s defence- splitting through ball.
Clark went close to a second two minutes later, but Preston keeper Alan Kelly dived to save his well-struck drive.
Town seemed to have a firm grip on the game, but Preston levelled against the run of play in the 24th minute.
Jim Forrest, who had been a Town target before leaving Glasgow Rangers for Lancashire, headed home left-back Jim Smith’s looping cross from close range.
That was the signal for the home side to force a succession of corners, but all were well dealt with.
Town emerged for the second half with renewed attacking intent, and gained their reward after 53 minutes.
Centre-back Roy Ellam broke up a Preston attack to find Colin Dobson, who in turn fed Northern Ireland ace Jimmy Nicholson.
The ex-Manchester United man beat three defenders before slipping a pass to Harper, who beat Kelly with precision.
Preston claimed offside, but Boston referee Ray Tinkler waved away their claims.
Clark looked odds-on to increase the lead in the 70th minute when he raced onto Harper’s sweet pass, only for Kelly to rush bravely from his goal and block the shot.
While Harper took the headlines, Driscoll picked out another youngster, Chris Cattlin, for praise.
The former Burnley junior had gone in at left-back to replace Bob McNab after he joined Arsenal, and the Examiner reporter noted: “He continues to shine and had a splendid game in the face of tenacious persistence by Ernie Hannigan.”
