Huddersfield Town boss Danny Cowley pays tribute to 'outstanding' Leeds United

Town were second best to a promotion-chasing Leeds side in front of a season's best crowd and a stunning opener from Luke Ayling and a second early in the second half from Patrick Bamford saw the Whites secure a season's double over Huddersfield and claim a fifth straight victory and clean sheet in the process.

Cowley said:"It was not easy. Leeds are a top team and got a real rhythm to their play in the second half and we had to hang in there at times and we did.

"It was an outstanding performance from them and it was a really good learning experience for our young players and we will be better for it.

"We will take a lot of learning from it. The result was never going to have a huge bearing on our season. We just wanted the result and performance for our supporters as we owed them something.

"We are disappointed we couldn't do that as our supporters were magnificent.

"I was proud that my players went to the end and that is something that is very important for me. We have got a really young group. Take Fraizer (Campbell) out of that front six and the other five are young boys and it will have been a great experience for them.

"We said in there (dressing room) that of course, there is a disappointment. But you have to learn from this. There are easier ways to learn than from that ninety minutes for sure, but that was actually a really great learning experience for my young players.

"The players and us as a management team have gone to take a lot from that. You have two choices, you either get bitter or better. We are going to try and come back and be better."

Despite accepting Leeds's dominance, Cowley was dismayed that his side were not awarded a late penalty following a challenge by Ayling on Richard Stearman.

He added: "It was a definite penalty at the end and there was still five minutes to go at that stage and if you get that penalty, all of sudden it could be 2-1 and they start hanging on for the end and it doesn't suit them. But it is ifs and buts.

"We were well beaten and let's not hide away. But it could have been 2-1 and you never know in football, which is a crazy game."