Worthington wowed after his Terriers bite back…

By Douglas Boyle

HUDDERSFIELD T 2

Roosken 69, Wiles 80

HUDDERSFIELD: Nicholls 6, Sorensen 7, Balker 7 (Miller 60, 7), Pearson 7, Ruffels 7, Kasumu 7, Hodge 7 (Hogg 74, 6), Chirewa 6 (Marshall 60, 6), Wiles 8 (Evans 84, 6), Roosken 8, Taylor 6 (Charles 60, 6). Subs not used: Chapman, Turton.

MANSFIELD TOWN 1

Dwyer 84

MANSFIELD: Pym 6, Bowery 7, Hewitt 6 (Dwyer 66, 7), Williams 7 (Flint 73, 6), Cargill 7, Akins 6, Baccus 7, Reed 6, Craig 7 (Boateng 73, 6), Evans 7 (Rhodes 74, 6), Vickers 6 (Lewis 62, 7). Subs not used: Flinders, Kilgour.

Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Martin Coy 6/10

JON Worthington was delighted to see his Huddersfield side return to winning ways and maintain their top-six hopes as they claimed victory at home to Mansfield.

Ruben Roosken and Ben Wiles set each other up to give Huddersfield a two-goal lead, before Dominic Dwyer headed home what proved to be a late consolation goal for the Stags.

“It has been a tough week in terms of results,” Worthington said. “At this moment in time, it’s all focused on the results, not the performances.

“I’m just really pleased for the lads. We’ve shifted the momentum again and the pendulum is going to keep swinging. It’s a bitof aroller coaster from where we’re at, but we’ve got to build on that again.

“There’s never going to be an easy game in this league. Mansfield have a good manager and a good team, and so you have to be patient.”

The visitors should have taken the lead after nine minutes, as Will Evans had an open goal from the rebound after Jordan Bowery hit a post, only to shoot wide of the unguarded net.

Huddersfield were again fortunate not to fall behind early in the second period, with Lasse Sorensen’s block just enough to deflect Matthew Craig’s strike around a post from a corner.

The hosts opened the scoring with their first shot on target in the 69th minute, as the unmarked Roosken calmly found the bottom corner to finish off Wiles’ square ball.

Roosken returned the favour to make it two in the 81st minute, exchanging passes with Wiles before finding him again at the back post for a well-taken finish.

Having wasted several presentable chances, Mansfield finally got their goal when substitute Dwyer headed home Aaron Lewis’ curled free-kick from a narrow angle to set up a nervy finish, but Huddersfield held on.

“That’s two games now with narrow defeats against top six sides, Charlton and now Huddersfield – all ex-Premier League sides,” said disappointed Mansfield boss Nigel Clough.

“There’s nothing wrong with this formation, the way we’re trying to play. 80-90 per cent of what we’re doing is very good indeed.

“I think we keep playing exactly as we’ve been doing the last couple of games, and especially if we can get somebody to just get us that goal!”