Ben Pringle’s first Town goal after 19 minutes saw the Blues to a battling 1-0 victory over Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium. Pringle netted in a first half largely dominated by the home side who missed a succession of chances and played the final quarter of a hour of the game with 10 men, Jonathan Hogg having picked up an injury after they had used all their subs.

Kevin Foley replaced Luke Hyam in an otherwise unchanged Town side, the midfielder having come off during Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat to Hull with a hamstring injury.

Youngsters James Blanchfield, who was offered a professional contract earlier this week, and Andre Dozzell travelled with the squad for experience but weren’t included in the matchday 18.

The Blues started with Pringle on the right and Freddie Sears on the left with Foley joining Jonathan Douglas in the centre of midfield and Brett Pitman and Daryl Murphy up front.

Huddersfield created the game’s first opening in the fifth minute, Jason Davidson whipping over a cross from the left for Kyle Dempsey, who powered a header back across the face of goal and wide when he should have scored.

On six Nahki Wells, who had a trial with Town as a teenager, looped an effort over Bartosz Bialkowski’s bar from distance with the Terriers starting the game well on top.

The home side again should have gone in front in the 10th minute when Wells broke through on goal behind Christophe Berra and Tommy Smith. The New Zealand international just about did enough to delay the Bermudian’s shot and when it finally came keeper Bialkowski had advanced off his line and blocked.

The West Yorkshiremen continued to dominate and on the quarter-hour Karim Matmour cut the ball across to Harry Bunn on the edge of the box but the ex-Manchester City youngster blazed over.

It had been all Huddersfield but on 19 the Blues, for whom Pringle and Sears had initially swapped flanks before Pitman moved wide on the left of a five-man midfield with the on-loan Fulham man moving inside, went ahead with their first shot of the game.

Foley challenged in the air midway inside the Terriers’ half and Pringle hooked the loose ball down the right for Murphy to chase. Joel Lynch sought to see the ball out of play but lost out to the Irishman, who sent over a deep cross to Pringle, who took a touch before smashing his first Town goal into the net off a defender.

The home side immediately looked to get back on terms but Wells under-hit his shot from the left of the area and Bialkowski claimed.

Wells continued to present the Terriers’ main threat and on 21 Bialkowski did well to push away the striker’s volley to his right.

Two minutes later, the Bermuda international hit another effort wide of the Town keeper’s right post after intercepting a Luke Chambers pass.

The Blues stemmed the tide in terms of clear-cut opportunities after the midway point in the first period, although with the home side continuing to have most of the ball and with the Town backline defending desperately at times.

On 39 the Blues had a chance to add to their lead from a Pringle freekick on the right but Murphy headed over.

Seconds before the end of the scheduled 45 minutes, Town created a third opportunity with their best move of the half.

Jonathan Douglas fed Pringle, who moved the ball on to Sears breaking down the left. The former Colchester man played in the overlapping Jonas Knudsen but Murphy turned the Dane’s low cross wide at the near post.

Referee Darren Bond ended the half soon afterwards with the Blues having managed to maintain their against-the-run-of-play 1-0 lead at the break.

Huddersfield dominated the first 20 minutes or so and had plenty of opportunities to go in front. But a combination of poor finishing, Bialkowski saves and desperate Town defending prevented them from not only taking the lead but from sealing the three points.

The Blues hadn’t managed a shot on goal when Pringle netted his goal after tenacious work from Murphy had forced Lynch into a mistake.

Town were more in the game after that - with willing runner Sears the main outlet - although with the home side still having most of the ball, albeit without seriously threatening Bialkowski’s goal further.

The Terriers dominated the opening minutes after the restart but without being able to breakthrough the determined Town back four.

Sears and Pitman switched flanks briefly at the start of the half before returning to the right and left respectively. On 51 Chambers was booked for pulling back Bunn as Huddersfield broke.

The home side were continuing to have most of the ball but were unable to find a way through the Blues’ massed ranks at the back.

Dempsey screwed a shot well wide from distance before Terriers boss David Wagner made a double change, swapping Matmour and Lynch for Jamie Paterson and Martin Cranie.

Huddersfield went close for the first time after the break on the hour when Terriers defender Tommy Smith’s shot deflected to Davidson eight yards out but the Australian international put the ball the wrong side of the post. A minute later the tiring Pringle was replaced by Kevin Bru.

On 64 Berra did superbly to block from Wells as the striker turned Paterson’s right-wing cross towards goal.

Huddersfield’s dominance was starting to look ominous but in the 66th minute the Blues came within an inch or so of extending their lead.

Sears did well to turn Smith’s clearance on to Murphy, who spun away from his man, found himself space and hit a low left-foot shot across Terriers keeper Jed Steer but just wide of the post.

On 69 the home side replaced Dempsey with Elvis Manu, then two minutes later Sears was somewhat harshly booked for a foul on the on-loan Brighton man.

Paterson curled a 25-yard strike from the left which Bialkowski claimed comfortably on 73, then Huddersfield’s Smith was booked for a foul on Pitman.

Four minutes later, Wells nodded Jonathan Hogg in on goal inside the area but Bialkowski was equal to the midfielder’s shot and Berra cleared the danger.

Soon after, ex-Watford man Hogg required treatment after appearing to injure his knee as he slid in to make a challenge and was forced to go off. Having used all their subs the home side were forced to end the game with 10 men. For Town, Ainsley Maitland-Niles replaced Foley for the final nine scheduled minutes.

A minute later the Blues had Bialkowski to thank for keeping them in front when, during a goalmouth scramble, the Pole made an instinctive save after Town’s Smith had diverted Paterson’s effort towards his own goal. The ball rebounded back into the six-yard box and Bialkowski gratefully claimed.

With the numerical advantage the Blues were under less pressure as the game moved into its final minutes and were even starting to get chances on the break.

On 87 Terriers keeper Steer was sent up for a rare corner but it came to nothing and Town were unable to make anything of his absence.

Two minutes later, Murphy broke down the right and lobbed into the path of Sears, who was crowded out as he looked to shoot.

Paul Digby was handed his Town league debut as a sub for Sears as the game moved into five additional minutes. Steer again went up front, this time for a freekick, but Murphy was unable to get onto Maitland-Niles’s long ball forward.

Deep into injury time the on-loan Arsenal youngster made a strong run forward and forced Cranie into a foul, helping see out the final moments.

Seconds later referee Bond’s whistle confirmed that the three points would go to the Blues and manager Mick McCarthy celebrated with his assistant Terry Connor on the touchline.

Having ridden their luck in the first half, the Blues defended in depth after the break and kept Huddersfield down to only a handful of opportunities, although Davidson will feel he certainly should have done better with his chance.

Town might have added to their lead in the closing stages when the Terriers were down to 10 men but were still largely concerned with hanging on to their one-goal lead rather than adding to it.

While Huddersfield will be wondering quite how they managed to lose having dominated the early stages so completely, it was just the ground-out, battling win the Blues needed having been defeated in their previous three matches.

The win moves Town up to ninth, now only four points off the play-off places with a game in hand on Sheffield Wednesday in sixth and Derby two points ahead of them in fifth. The Blues are next in action at home against Nottingham Forest next Saturday.

Huddersfield: Steer, Smith, Davidson, Whitehead, Hudson (c), Hogg, Matmour (Paterson 58), Bunn, Wells, Dempsey (Manu 69), Lynch (Lynch 58). Unused: Murphy, Husband, Holmes, Bojaj.

Town: Bialkowski, Chambers (c), Berra, Smith, Knudsen, Pringle (Bru 61), Foley (Maitland-Niles 81), Douglas, Sears (Digby 90), Pitman, Murphy. Unused: Gerken, Touré, Tabb, Varney. Referee Darren Bond (Lancashire). Att: 12,644 (Town: 936)

Photo: Action Images

essexboy added 18:17 - Feb 27 Prebsa,if I don't agree then I mark it down,nothing devious about that,we all have opinions.Sorry if I upset you.
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prebsa added 18:23 - Feb 27 Essexboy. Not upset at all it's fair enough. Respect your opinion!
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Dissboyitfc added 18:30 - Feb 27 Harry s h , did you go to the game? Travelling back from the game we are discussing the game, aneutral amongst us remarked, " how do you watch that rubbish every game"? He has got a point it really is amazingly poor at times. For those who insist on singing super mick mcarthy, i really wish you wouldnt, there is nothing super about Mm or his teams. I lost count the number of times the ball gets hoofed forward by the defence straight out of play. Woeful at times do they not even practice kinking the ball? A much needed 3 points, just wish we could play some football.

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Bob7881 added 18:32 - Feb 27 Most wont like this, our once great club is an also ran in the second tier of English football who are punching above their weight. Premier league forget it any footballer with an ounce of talent wouldnt want to play for Macarthy. How the hell would we compete in the top division. The best we could hope for is go up Evans takes the money and sod off.
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MicksZzzTactics added 18:34 - Feb 27 So today's me and my 'better half' simply decided in unison that we had MUCH better things to do with our time -- and money! -- than travel to Huddersfield to endure what highly likely would evolve into just ANOTHER round of "Hoof it ... cross your fingers ... and let's hope Madame Fortuna smiles our way!"sort of travesty (anti)football from 'The Dinosaur's XI'. Thus I fully admit to 'The TWTD Misdemeanor' :-) of for a very rare occasion neither having seen nor listened to the match .... But imho that doesn't completely "disqualify" my for having some kind of 'informed' opinion about it -- as so many of The Forum's "In The Dinosaur We Trust" Brigade members keep stipulating -- as I have several colleagues and friends who did and who privately relay their match report which I trust to be both unbiased and fair. And to compliment that there is of course as always the various football media's own match reports as well as the the match stats. And speaking of the latter, particularly the match stats, it do appear clear to me as if we indeed had 'Madame Fortuna' purely on our side this afternoon! Both 'Time of Possession' (67% to 33%) and 'Total Attempts on Goal' (22 to 6)! was both heavily in Huddersfield's favor ... but most standing-out & alarming to me is the fact the for the 2nd game running we had but ONE repeat ONE (i.e. Pringle's goal) 'Attempt on Target'!!! Any which way, as the pragmatic ones always argue "3 points is 3 points" .... whether fully deserved, a little fortunate or a lot fortunate .... we take them!!! Thank you very much!!! :-) However I must stress that imho today's result, lucky or not, does neither makes anything else bad that has transpired this calendar year SUDDENLY "all forgotten", nor does it SUDDENLY make Dinosaur Mick a football genius (tactical and otherwise!), and nor does it make The Boyz -- whom I as a unit ALWAYS root for even despite my current various strong ANTI-views -- especially 'qualified' or deserving of nailing a play-off spot!

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StowTractorBoy added 18:47 - Feb 27 We have key players missing and come up against a more than useful team in Huddersfield and we win. Surprise surprise there are supporters who must have a dig. How many of you actually went today to see a sterling defensive job and a superb goalkeeping display. Not many I would suggest. What do you want pretty attractive football and defeat or a team that's works its socks off and gets 3 points. Give me the latter every time. Norwich were apparently excellent today but they lost - which would you rather ? Well done to our fans today and now look forward to a lovely long trip to our next away trip at Bolton on a Tuesday night. Who knows this could be a turning point - lets hope so.

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blueboy1981 added 18:50 - Feb 27 Dissboyitfc ........ the worst part of it all is - MM thinks it's good, and will NEVER change. How the hell can he continue to play SEARS well out of position ? - when we all know he is a potential goal machine - not to mention the others facing the same scenario. One thing is certain - the man's not for changing, and neither will OUR opinions of such.
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GiveusaWave added 18:57 - Feb 27 We got lucky today. Usual hoofball and usual lack of shots on target but Pringle made it count. Must have been a very frustrating day for Huddersfield fans as they created tonnes of chances but were thwarted by Bialkowski who is turning in literally world-class performances week-in, week-out. Of course I am pleased we won, but it's sad to see the anti-football we play. But a result is a result. Onwards and upwards. Thought Foley/Pringle were both solid.

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cornishblu added 19:01 - Feb 27 HarryS_H absolutely ridiculous comment..,as said yesterday trot off to mediocre land and be delighted with it ....you'll meet Mr and Mrs no aspiration there ....no doubt you'll be living out your dreams COYB
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Pip50 added 19:01 - Feb 27 hooooooooooof top 10 will be difficult sad times when it wouldn't take much to compete top 6 and it's not all about the £££. In Mick we're stuck for sometime I fear!
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ivegottheblues added 19:14 - Feb 27 Slowtractorboy I for one would certainly prefer to see 'pretty atractive football' than successful hoofball because in the long run that's the only way we'll ever get back to the entertaining & Successful team we once were.
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TimmyH added 19:21 - Feb 27 Happy tonight - a good ol' McCarthy 1-0 away win and to stop the losing streak with an away win is a bonus. Sounds like we rode our luck 1st half and just dug in the 2nd which we'll clearly need to do in the next month or so if we're going to be genuine play-off candidates, if the defense can be relied upon (particularly as we have the now better goalkeeper between the sticks) then our chances are enhanced. If only McG and Bish were back this week it would be a real boost on top of this but sadly can't see them starting any time soon and still an evident lack of quality in midfield. Saying that though congratulations to Ben Pringle for his good start here and his first goal for us, let's hope we go on a decent run but really not sure we are capable of it with the present circumstances and entering the vital part of the season.

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WhoisJimmyJuan added 19:28 - Feb 27 Mickszzzztactics. I don't disagree with you as such. But I would point out that tonight most views (one tool excepted) are almost as one. A win is a win and always greeted as a true fan. But most are saying it changes nothing: the tactics, style, ream selection, investment and academy progress are less than desirable .
5

TimmyH added 19:41 - Feb 27 33% possession - oh dear! but not to be unexpected but 1 shot on target is...
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ShropshireBluenago09 added 20:01 - Feb 27 Good away win against an improving Huddersfield, but we are no where near the team or the performance that so many of us are crying out for. Its just a same we lost 3 on the bounce.Still think we may have avoided this 'blip' if we had added a bit of the quality in Jan. However, Ugly wins, 1-0's up to the end of the season, get Bish and McG fit, keep the OUTSTANDING BART in goal... and we might, might just reach the play-offs.

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warksonwater added 20:29 - Feb 27 Just returned from the match. I don't think I've ever witnessed such a lucky win. But three points it is. Not to have won would have meant Defo no top six. Taken aback by one or two comments here, 'we're safe' and 'we won't go down'. Oh good. I thought we might! Bot on that performance I'm afraid we ain't going in the other direction either!
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Currie10 added 20:39 - Feb 27 Do I like how we play the game under Mick? No I bloody don't. However, is it going to change? No. Is Mick going? No. Does he generally get results? Yes he does. Intelligent manager is Mick. Foley in CM must have left some scratching their heads but he offered the discipline Kevin " headless chicken " Bru could only dream of today. However, Huddersfield played pretty footy and came away with 0 points and a season going absolutely nowhere. UNLUCKY. We played pretty well under Jewell / Magilton when I went away on many occasion and were let down by a soft underbelly. Wendy / Brum / Preston / Derby all lost. Forest appear on summer holidays, beat them and Bolton, things could look quite good. COYB!

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runaround added 20:44 - Feb 27 Forgetting league positions for awhile after 3 straight defeats that was a vital & massive win. Seems Bart was on top form again & we perhaps rode our luck but football is a results game & today the result was all that really mattered. Hopefully a corner has been turned today but we must follow it up with positive results in the ne t few games
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Steelmonkey added 20:46 - Feb 27 Great result today to keep us in with a shout of makig a top six finish, well done Ben Pringle, (thought you had some nice touches against Hull), it's just a shame in the way we got it today. I think their crowd summond it up, Boring, Boring Ipswich. Wow, look how far we have come.
2

wayway added 20:54 - Feb 27 And everything in the garden is rosy Boring Billy must now be up for manager of the month
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essex57 added 21:07 - Feb 27 Just in from the game what a place to get out of. 30 seconds of brilliant football to create and score the goal then hang on for your life I'm not going to go into the chances they missed it happens to us plenty of times,thought prince looked use full Jonas had not such a good day and I'm afraid I think the season and age is catching up on Douglas. All round great performance MOM Bart.

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warktheline added 21:09 - Feb 27 Apart from the 3 points today there's nowt else to crow about. This team won't make playoffs, and if by some miracle they do, they'll be cannon fodder! McCarthy's boys peaked last season, and since the gap between us, the pretenders and contenders has unquestionably widened . I'm pointing towards our performances against these teams, and the consistency difference, before the 'anti-moaning brigade ' start piping up! keep day dreaming, the land of make believe may be with you by next weekend!

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Minneapolis_ITFC added 21:20 - Feb 27 By all accounts it could represent the greatest steal since The Great Train Robbery, but bottom line, it's three points for the team and keeps the club in contention for the end of season play-off event. Disappointing to learn we were largely lackluster again at times and the opposition were left wondering how they lost it, but no-one will care about it by end of season if it means the difference between top six and missing out. Sears Muprhy and Pitman not registering a goal is something of a concern and our attacking line hasn't been as proficient as some would like this season but the Pringle kid had a day to remember and was something of a surprise scorer. Good that the traveling support was able to take something away from today amid this season of largely medicority. We got lucky today and cannot subscribe to McCarthy and Evans being the way ahead, but as before, we got three points and move on. It just may make a difference to the end of season standings.

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bluesince84 added 21:20 - Feb 27 Will happily take todays result nd a well done where its due. I wont go over the arguments that we are all aware of, but i must ask this. What the hell happens when the loan signings go bck next year. No AM( Wouldnt lose sleep over that one but he is useful on his day) pringle and frazer. Any progress made ( which is none) would revert back to squre one when the performers go back to their club. Whoever comes in should have a stipulation in their contract to play their position a certain percentage of the season. If we would have said to Sears upon signing he will no longer be striker but a winger, would he have signed so quickly? Chist, if we sign goal keeper in the summer He'll probbly end up playing Center midfield......

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chepstowblue added 21:34 - Feb 27 I'm not one for sensationalistic remarks but in the 40yrs plus of following Town I have never seen us play so badly and win a game.A feeling of total embarrassment at the final whistle and bewilderment for the duration of the 3hr journey home. A huge 3pts which keeps us in the hunt but for the life of me I wonder how the hell we are so high up the table !!
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