Huddersfield Town 3 Peterborough 2: Huddersfield spark wave of optimism among fans as Pilkington hits double

CHANTING about a possible trip to Wembley come the Spring may seem a tad premature when October is less than a week old.

But such was the comprehensive manner in which Huddersfield Town swept aside in-form Peterborough United during the first half last night that the natives could surely be forgiven for their optimism.

Two goals from Anthony Pilkington and Graham Carey's second strike in Huddersfield colours helped book a place in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy third round.

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It was also enough to prompt a round of 'Que sera, sera' from the Town loyalists in a crowd of 2,904.

Whether it proves to be wishful thinking from the sparsely populated Kilner Bank remains to be seen.

But, come Saturday's draw for the next stage, Lee Clark's men will surely be the team the other managers in the Northern Section will be desperate to avoid.

Certainly, if Huddersfield can repeat the quality of their efforts in the opening 45 minutes against Peterborough then they will take some stopping.

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With Clark calling for a positive reaction after sliding from pole position in League One to 11th place courtesy of three consecutive defeats, the Terriers enjoyed a dream start

Carey was the man who brought a 291-minute wait for a goal to an end, though the Celtic loanee will be the first to admit his second strike of the season against Peterborough owed more to a a horrendous howler from Joe Lewis in the visitors' goal than any great skill on his part.

Possibly a fan of the late Norman Wisdom, Lewis performed what appeared to be a tribute with a bumbling attempt at a save as he allowed a tame shot to squirm under his body and into the net.

If that was a lucky break for Huddersfield, their other goals were of the highest quality.

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First, Pilkington collected a pass from Lee Novak on the right flank before cutting inside and unleashing an unstoppable shot from 20 yards.

Then, as the visitors' defence again stood off the lively winger, he made it 3-0 with a similarly powerful effort from outside the area that flew beyond the outstretched hand of Lewis.

Peterborough manager Gary Johnson's response to his side's first-half mauling was to make three substitutions during the interval.

One of those new arrivals, Aaron McLean, then gave the visitors hope on 51 minutes by beating Ian Bennett with a well-placed header.

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Buoyed by gaining a foothold in the tie, Peterborough pushed for a second goal as Lee Frecklington's fierce shot was blocked and McLean wasted a golden chance by fluffing his kick six yards out.

Posh continued to threaten and reduced the arrears yet further three minutes from time when Mark Little headed in from close range.

It set up a frantic finale as Jordan Rhodes thrashed a shot inches over the crossbar before Bennett showed safe hands to deal with a dangerous flicked header from Craig Mackail-Smith.

Three minutes of stoppage time then failed to bring an equaliser for Peterborough to ensure it was Town who prevailed at the end of an entertaining and eventful tie.

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Huddersfield Town: Bennett; Peltier, Clarke, Kay, Ridehalgh; Pilkington, Johnson, Gudjonsson, Carey (Croft 72); Novak, Lee (Rhodes 68). Unused susbtitutes: Allinson Garner, N Clarke.

Peterborough United: Lewis; Little, Langmead, Zakuani (Davies 46), Ofori-Twumasi; Boyd, Lee, Frecklington, Mendez-Laing (Tomlin 46); Hibbert (McLean 46), Mackail-Smith. Unused susbtitutes: Collis, Gill.

Referee: S Mathieson (Cheshire).