Goals:

0-1: Leadbitter (36, powered a unstoppable, curling free-kick with accuracy in to the top left corner of Smithies’ net from 35 yards)

1-1: Stead (86, moved ahead of his marker in the area to direct Ward’s cross beyond Konstantopoulos)

1-2: Leadbitter pen (90, sent Smithies the wrong way with a cool spot-kick after Reach was pulled back by Smith)

Bookings: Butterfield (10, foul); Vaughan (19, foul); Friend (26, foul); Clayton (84, foul)

Referee: Kevin Wright (Peterborough) – there were calls from both sets of fans for a red card for incidents involving Vaughan and Friend, but he correctly decided cautions sufficed. 7

Attendance: 17,993

Entertainment: 3/5

Hudd Boro

Shots on: 4 4

Shots off: 8 13

Corners: 3 11

Offsides: 2 2

Fouls: 10 15

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN (4-4-2): Smithies 7; Smith 2, Lynch 6, HUDSON 7, Robinson 4; Butterfield 6, Coady 5, Peltier 6 (Ward 80), Bunn 4 (Lolley 61, 6); Vaughan 4 (Stead 27, 6), Wells 4. Subs (not used): Murphy (gk), Dixon, Scannell, Wallace.

MIDDLESBROUGH (4-4-2):

6 Konstantopoulos: Had one shaky moment in the first half but was otherwise sound throughout;

6 Abella: Solid defensively and bright moving forward, even if he was occasionally wayward with his passing

8 Ayala: Grew in stature as the game developed, often reading the balls played in his direction

7 Gibson: Will take some dislodging from the heart of the defence despite the quality of players battling with him for a place

7 Friend: Rightly booked for a clumsy aerial challenge, which could have earned him a red, but otherwise played well;

6 Reach: Performed in flashes and was the man pulled back for the match-winning penalty

5 Clayton: Has certainly had games were he has been more involved even if he almost scored first half

8 LEADBITTER: Has been Boro’s star performer so far this season and his free-kick was outstanding

6 Adomah: Never hit top gear but was still a threat when he got on the ball down the flanks;

6 Tomlin: Played a few nice passes but will need to do a little more if he is to play further forward more often

5 Kike: Had a couple of decent chances and looked frustrated not to have scored when he left the pitch

Subs:

Vossen (for Tomlin 59): Went close to scoring with one effort. 5

Bamford (for Kike 76)

Nsue (for Adomah 90)

(not used): Blackman (gk), Woodgate, Whitehead, Wildschut.

MAN OF THE MATCH: GRANT Leadbitter – led by example and was the coolest man on the pitch to hit the winner.