Sponsored by
Gillingham 2 Huddersfield Town 0: Clark takes positives from Terriers defeat
HUDDERSFIELD manager Lee Clark was looking for a response from Tuesday's thrashing at Southampton so he must have been enraged at his team's opening half-hour display.
They were a goal down after seven minutes, and a man down after 26.
Much of the blame for Saturday's two-goal defeat was landed at Nathan Eccleston's feet, after his challenge on Gills' Stuart Lewis earned him a straight red.
Clark labelled the challenge as "reckless" but at least it fired up battle-weary Huddersfield.
Launch the Yorkshire Post's Coca-Cola Football League video player
Goalkeeper Alex Smithies had been called upon twice to deny Rene Howe before strike-partner Simeon Jackson struck.
Town best chance in the first half came when Garry Richards almost put Anthony Pilkington's cross into his own net.
Just 20 seconds into the second half and Jackson scored again after bursting clear.
Substitute Gary Roberts hit the post during a frantic finale but they were unable to get past League One's best home defence and slipped out of the play-offs.
Clark said: "We didn't respond from Tuesday night and we still had a hangover from that. We were deservedly one down but when the sending off happened we responded positively.
"We will certainly discipline Eccleston because his lack of discipline possibly cost the side. It was a reckless challenge. The players showed great spirit but it was a massive task.
"We need to dust ourselves down and not to sulk and be big babies."
Gillingham: Julian; Lewis, Richards, Dennehy, Nutter; Miller, Weston, Jackman, Barcham; Jackson, Howe (Oli, 73). Unused substitutes: Royce, Maher, Bentley, Palmer, Dickson, Walker.
Huddersfield Town: Smithies; T Clarke, Trotman, P Clarke, Williams (Robinson, 74); Pilkington (Roberts, 61), Kay (Collins, 54), Drinkwater, Eccleston; Novak, Rhodes. Unused substitutes: Eastwood, Berrett, Pearce, N Clarke.
Referee: F Graham (Essex)
Man of the match: Alex Smithies.
This season the Yorkshire Post has an exciting new match-day service, called Match Centre. Here you will find minute-by-minute updates, stats and team formations. Plus reports from every game in England, from the Premier League down to the Blue Square Premier.
Simply select your game from the pull down menu, then click on the 'i' information button on the right of the fixture and it will give you access to everything you need to know about your team.
So if you can't make it to a game, head for the Match Centre and we will give you the best seat in the house. Click the link below.
For the latest team news, score and commentary from your team check out our new Match Centre
Email to a friend
Print this page- Leeds lose Ward to Palace: Is there anyone they can afford now?
- Sheffield Wednesday leaving it late to hijack Leeds United over Ward
- As Snodgrass dithers over Leeds, Warnock throws a lifeline
- Ball is in Leeds United’s court over contract - Snodgrass
- Police turning blind eye to Asian voter fraud, says MP
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
