Huddersfield Town 3 Brentford 2: Rhodes wins thriller at Galpharm

Manager Lee Clark made just one change as his side went in search of a league double over Brentford in Saturday’s tea-time encounter

Alan Lee, who scored the winner after coming off the bench against Oldham, got the nod to partner former Brentford striker Jordan Rhodes up front in place of Lee Novak.

Novak missed out after taking a knock on his ankle in training on Friday.

Brentford forced five early corners in the windy conditons and took a 21st-minute lead when lone frontman Gary Alexander sent Ian Bennett the wrong way from the spot after Marcus Bean had gone down under a sliding challenge from Peter Clarke.

It got worse for Town in the 29th minute when Niall McGinn crossed from the right allowing Alexander to volley home his second from inside the six-yard area.

Town made it 2-1 in the 41st minute, Alan Lee challenging for an inswing corner from Danny Ward and the ball ending in the net as Brentford protested furiously that the Town striker had been guilty of a foul.

It became 2-2 in stoppage time as Ward crossed and Jamie McCombe glanced a header over Richard Lee into the net.

Gary Roberts chipped the ball against the bar soon after the restart but Town still took the lead in the 50th minute, Rhodes shrugging off his marker before placing the ball inside Lee’s far post following a tremendous crossfield ball from Ward.

Brentford went in search of an equaliser by bringing on Bradford-born Clayton Donaldson to partner Alexander up front.

Myles Weston was also introduced by the visitors and shot narrowly wide after Town had replaced Roberts with Danny Cadamarteri.

Rhodes was left to go it alone up front as Town strengthened midfield by replacing Lee with Anton Robinson in an attempt to hold on for a victory which would take them above Sheffield United into second place on goaldifference.

In another defensive strengthening ploy, Tom Clarke came on at right-back with JackHunt pushed up into midfield at Ward’s expense.

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