A stoppage time sucker punch left Huddersfield Town nursing the after effects of a fourth defeat on the spin.

Nahki Wells tucked away his 11th goal of the season but Preston North End found two in reply and a disappointing run continues for David Wagner.

Here are five things we learned from the clash...


Town need to sharpen up at both ends

Sky Bet Championship - Preston NE (2) v Huddersfield Town (1) - Jamie Paterson despair as his shot is saved.

A tale of two penalty areas is beginning to look like an apt subtitle to the book of Town's 2015/16 season. Once again, David Wagner's men dominated the majority of the stats - possession, pass completion, tackles, shots, shots on target were all superior - except where it matters, in goals scored.

Heated discussion after the game centred on where the bigger issues lie, and with the loan window due to open next week, whether reinforcements should be coming in to strengthen attack or defence.

The truth is, Town were lax in both thirds. A total of 20 chances were created, resulting in seven shots on target, and yet only one goal was scored. At the other end, Town conceded twice in the last ten minutes when they should have been seeing out the game to collect the maximum number of points.

To let Preston's Alan Browne net the winner in injury time was disappointing, but to let him to do it with a free header will have had the coaching staff screaming. Town players have talked about cutting out the errors, but now it's time to do the talking on the pitch.

A worrying trend

Sky Bet Championship - Preston NE (2) v Huddersfield Town (1) - Jonathan Hogg claims his shot had crossed the line.


This latest result on a four game losing run has followed an increasingly concerning pattern - that of Town shooting themselves in the foot.

Going back to Reading in the FA Cup, Town have either been in the lead and allowed the opposition to come from behind to win, or have found an equaliser only to go on and lose. It's extremely frustrating, because on each occasion Town had put themselves into a position to at least escape with a draw.

David Wagner's footballing philosophy is commendable, entertaining and progressive, but it has to be combined with some nous. Seeing out games is an essential skill and shouldn't be left by the wayside.

Philip Billing shows he can cut it

Sky Bet Championship - Preston NE v Huddersfield Town - Philip Billing.


Football fans love many things - winning, scoring, beating rivals. But few things can inspire such long term excitement and goodwill as the promotion of Academy products, with the hope that someone nurtured by the club from a young age will go on to have a big bearing on its future.

Step forward Philip Billing, who won the first start of his career in the absence of the injured Emyr Huws. Charged with providing impetus and creativity from deep, the Danish teenager looked completely unfazed by the occasion and the importance of his role in the centre of the park.

Right from the kick off he was everywhere, starting Town attacks and cutting out Preston's ripostes. He was involved in so many of the opportunities Town created and looked completely at home pulling the strings in midfield.

Based on this display, he definitely deserves another start next week. Town fans should be excited at just how much potential this man has.

Premier League quality is hard to overcome



When Ben Chilwell was dancing down the left wing, Town fans knew they had something special on their hands - a player who was destined for the Premier League. Opposition fans no doubt knew it too, because the difference in quality tells.

Town found that out to their cost at Brighton two weeks' ago, when the likes of Anthony Knockaert, Bobby Zamora and James Wilson, all with a wealth of top flight experience, were the ones to do the damage.

And they found it again at Preston, when West Brom loanee Anders Lindegaard was named Man of the Match for a string of crucial saves from Town's front line.

Simon Grayson has been savvy in the loan market, replacing the excellent Jordan Pickford from Sunderland with the former Manchester United keeper.

Huddersfield's coffers are unlikely to ever compete with the signings Brighton and Middlesbrough have made, but it shows the value of the loan market. Premier League players who, for whatever reason, can be persuaded to ply their trade in the Championship temporarily are increasingly valuable assets.

Wagner retains faith in his philosophy

Sky Bet Championship - Preston NE (2) v Huddersfield Town (1) - Nahki Wells goal.

Speaking after full time, David Wagner bemoaned the result but not the performance. He spoke of a clash of footballing philosophies with counterpart Simon Grayson, whose Preston side have struggled for goals this season but looked to threaten on the counterattack and from set pieces.

The manager remains convinced that his way is the right way and will soon yield the points to match the performances.

Town have been far better than a four match losing streak suggests, and although it's easy to point out the league table doesn't reward valiant defeat, it's also clear to see where Wagner's confidence comes from.

It's also important to remember the difference in watching Town these days - they play entertaining football that is easy on the eye and leaves supporters genuinely looking forward to the game.

There will be more defeats as Wagner continues to put his stamp on the team, but he knows where he is going and there is a long term plan in place.