Stockport 0 Huddersfield Town 6: Terriers hit goals trail at County

HUDDERSFIELD eased into the play-offs with a fully committed performance that demolished relegated Stockport and manager Lee Clark pledged that there will be no let-up of effort in the remaining two games of the regular season.

Town, backed by 3,424 travelling fans at Edgeley Park, sign off at Exeter but first have a home date with Colchester, whose failure to beat Tranmere on Saturday ended their battle with Town for a play-off spot.

Clark said: "Now we go for six points from our last two games. There is no chance of us relaxing. The approach won't change.

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"If we do that right and results elsewhere go for us it can decide where we go in terms of our position in the play-offs, where we play the first leg. Without a doubt, that's important," added Clark, pointing out that Charlton are just a point ahead of his side and Swindon two ahead.

Town's chief would like Leeds United, who visit Charlton on Saturday, to do his team a favour like they did for United by winning against Millwallk.

Though it was a late goal rush that inflicted on Stockport their heaviest home defeat since 1961, and two of them came via set pieces while another was courtesy of a big deflection, Clark praised his players' attitude.

"They were professional in their approach to the game, taking on board everything we had asked of them. They were ruthless in the second half and some of our finishing was excellent."

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Town mastered an awful pitch – it is shared by Sale Sharks RU – better than Stockport, who were pegged back for long spells.

With Peter Clarke and Neal Trotman, and later Nathan Clarke, removing the threat of big front men Jabo Ibehre and George Donnelly, it was comfortable for Town goalkeeper Alex Smithies, who easily kept a 16th clean sheet.

Danny Drinkwater has produced some fine displays in Town's midfield in late season but none more telling than this.

On top of his industry, the loan player from Manchester United had a part in four of Town's goals, including scoring the fourth with a free-kick from the edge of the area on 85 minutes.

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It was only his second goal for Town, his other being in the 7-1 win over Brighton in August.

A second-minute strike credited to Anthony Pilkington was tough on Stockport, for their former player's shot took a big deflection off Matt Sadler.

Drinkwater's run presented Robinson with his 15th goal of the campaign after 37 minutes but 68 minutes had gone before, despite all their pressure, Town extended their lead, Pilkington's cross being touched against a post by Robinson and Rhodes taking his season's tally to 23 from the rebound.

Drinkwater set up Gary Roberts to finish with aplomb in stoppage time and moments later it was Drinkwater who was flattened by Sam Barnes for Lee Novak to score from the spot.

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Stockport County: Fon Williams; Halls, Swailes, Barnes, Sadler; Partridge (Poole 67), Turnbull, Perkins, Johnson (D Pilkington 67); Ibehre, Donnelly. Unused substitutes: Vincent, Gerrard, Griffin, Rowe.

Huddersfield Town: Smithies; T Clarke, P Clarke, Trotman (N Clarke 57), Peltier; A Pilkington, Kay, Drinkwater, Roberts; Robinson (Simpson 85), Rhodes (Novak 76). Unused substitutes: Eastwood, Pearce, Williams, Eccleston.

Referee: K Woolmer (Northants).

Man of the match: Danny Drinkwater.

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