MATCH CENTRE: Brighton 2-3 Huddersfield Town

Manager Lee Clark is now hoping his former manager Peter Reid can do his side a massive favour and improve their chances of automatic promotion.

Southampton currently occupy the second automatic promotion spot on goal difference, but visit Reid’s relegation-threatened Plymouth side on Monday in their crucial game in hand.

Clark said: “I’ll be taking training as usual on Monday and will be working towards our home game against Brentford on Saturday.”

Clark, signed by Reid when he was in charge at Sunderland, added: “I just hope he can pull it off for us. He’s very motivated, has done a fantastic job in difficult circumstances at Plymouth and kept them fighting all season. Let’s hope he can give me a helping hand.

“We’ve got two chances at the moment. We can be promoted automatically or be in the play-offs. We’d like to finish second, but if it’s the play-offs we’ll be ready. We’ve got fantastic motivation and tremendous belief.”

Matthew Sparrow had put a dent in Town’s hopes by levelling the game at 2-2 but Ward struck in the final minute to keep them alive in the hunt for second place.

Benik Afobe had earlier given Town hope of victory by twice giving his side the lead at already-promoted Brighton.

Ashley Barnes had equalised an earlier Afobe strike with a second-half header to make the score 1-1.

Huddersfield knew they had to win if they were to keep alive their automatic promotion hopes.

The result leaves them level on points with Southampton, but with the Saints above them in second spot due to an improved goal difference, the Saints enjoyed a 3-0 win at Brentford.

Southampton also have a game in hand against Plymouth on Monday.

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