HUDDERSFIELD Town head coach Liam Manning has thrown down the gauntlet to his players to put a winning run together and bolster their promotion prospects after a 'special' first game in charge against Bradford City.

Town prevailed thanks to Marcus Harness' 23rd-minute winner with the scoreline not doing justice to the hosts' dominant derby display as they ended their poor sequence of form against sides at the top end of League One.

Manning, whose sixth-placed side host Luton on Tuesday, said: "I think it's a really good starting point for something that we want to create.

"It was a terrific three points against a team I know 20,000-odd (people) would be desperate for us to beat. It was a special game, a special day.

Huddersfield Town head coach Liam Manning shows his delight after his side's victory over Bradford City in his first match in charge. Photo: Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Huddersfield Town head coach Liam Manning shows his delight after his side's victory over Bradford City in his first match in charge. Photo: Tony Johnson.

"We now have to back it up and try and put a run together. That's the challenge. Especially in the Football League, if you can put runs together, you can quickly solidify or move positions."

The only downer on the day was a second yellow card in the 62nd minute for Marcus McGuane on his hitherto impressive first league start, with Manning revealing that the midfielder apologised for his first caution for retaliation after being initially pushed by City defender Aden Baldwin.

Manning added: "The first yellow is a little bit stupid, he's apologised in there. But I've worked with Marcus a long time, I know what he's about. I still think he, as good as he was, can get even better.

"And when I look at those two (him and Ryan Ledson), I think they can become a real force."

While Saturday's teamsheet showed the depth of resources available to Manning, the Town chief is not ruling out some incoming business before next Monday's transfer deadline.

He said: "Me and Chris (Markham) have had chats. That was a big attraction (coming here) in terms of how Chris sees it and how I see it in the work and collaboration from that point of view.

"I think I'm quite clear in what we need. And then it's a case of what we can do and what's available and whether that's possible or not."