Huddersfield Town succumbed to a first SkyBet Championship defeat in eight encounters in a game marred by first-half controversy at a sell-out John Smith's Stadium.

David Wagner's side were effectively undone by two contentious first-half decisions from Wiltshire referee Roger East as Newcastle United extended their lead at the top of the table by five points and 11 points ahead of third-placed Town.

After a bright start from the home side, Matt Ritchie scored from the penalty spot in the 10th minute after Nahki Wells was adjudged to have fouled the winger in the box.

The Magpies doubled their advantage just after the half hour mark, Daryl Murphy prodding home as Town's players were left incensed at a perceived foul on goalkeeper Danny Ward in the build up.

Town rallied in the second-half with Aaron Mooy giving the home side a glimmer of hope from the spot in the 72nd minute only for Dwight Gayle to extinguish it late on as the home side chased an equaliser.

Here's how the game unfolded....

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First Half

8 Minutes: Newcastle United's Mohamed Diame breaks away and finds Matt Ritchie but Town keeper Danny Ward tips the driven effort over the bar.

9 Minutes: Ritchie goes down in the box under a Nahki Wells challenge and the referee points to the spot.

10 Minutes: Ritchie converts the spot-kick. 1-0 to the Magpies.

23 Minutes: Philip Billing tries an effort from range, but it’s palmed out for a corner by Karl Darlow.

33 Minutes: Daryl Murphy makes it two for the the visitors after dispossessing Ward.

34 Minutes: Chris Lowe goes close with a long-range effort.

40 Minutes: Aaron Mooy gets away from Jonjo Shelvey and fires one towards goal, bringing a good save from Darlow.

45+2 Minutes: A Wells free-kick drifts narrowly over the bar.

Second Half

70 Minutes: There's a goalmouth scramble in the Toon box, but the ball is cleared.

71 Minutes: Penalty! Shelvey pushes Elias Kachunga over in the box.

72 Minutes: Mooy converts the spot-kick. 2-1 Newcastle.

90 Minutes: Rajiv van La Parra stings Darlow’s hands with a powerfully hit shot from distance.

90+1 Minutes: Gayle scores for Newcastle after substitute goalkeeper Joel Coleman misjudges the bounce of the ball.

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Key Moment

Newcastle United’s opening goal from the penalty spot left Huddersfield Town reeling after a bright start to the game from David Wagner’s men.

Moan of the Match

As the rain came down, the pitch cut up - not conducive to Huddersfield Town’s preferred passing style of play.

Talking Point

Was it a penalty? Was it a foul on Danny Ward for the second? Two key decisions that changed the course of the game.

Man of the Match

Rajiv van La Parra - positive and hard-working throughout, his head never dropped when it arguably did for some others around him.

Tweet of the Match

Referee Watch

Roger East (Wiltshire) - two contentious first-half decisions marred what could have been an open and even SkyBet Championship contest.

Atmosphere

Electrifying only to be slightly dampened by the two fortuitous goals scored by the visitors and becoming hostile towards the referee.

Verdict

A disappointing result for Town but with Brighton & Hove Albion losing away to Nottingham Forest earlier in the day, automatic promotion is still not beyond their reach.

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Line-Ups

Huddersfield Town (4-2-3-1): Ward (Coleman, 46); Smith, Hefele, Schindler, Lowe (Quaner, 86); Billing (Hogg, 66), Mooy; Kachunga, Brown, van La Parra; Wells

Subs Not Used: Hudson, Cranie, Payne, Lolley

Booked: Schindler

Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Darlow; Anita, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Ritchie, Shelvey, Colback (Gouffran, 72), Atsu (Yedlin, 81); Diame; Murphy (Gayle, 65)

Subs Not Used : Elliot, Gamez, Hanley, Perez

Booked: Colback, Anita, Clark, Shelvey

Half Time: Huddersfield Town 0-2 Newcastle United

Att: 23, 213 (Away: 1,900)

Next Match: Aston Villa at the John Smith’s Stadium, SkyBet Championship (7.45pm kick-off)