Town threw away three points as they allowed Sheffield United to get level after going in one up at half time. Town also threw away the chance to go second as Barnsley lost 3-0 away at Portsmouth.
Town lined up with Richard Naylor back from his groin injury but with Jim Magilton still missing. Jermaine Wright continued in midfield whilst Mick Stockwell and Fabian Wilnis dropped to the bench. Gary Croft made his first start since coming out of prison.
Town started very brightly and it seeme donly a matter of time before they went ahead. However, as so often the final shot and pass went astray. As the half wore on United got more into the game, however Town were still by far the more dominant.
Town eventually went ahead seconds before the break through a David Johnson penalty. The striker stepped up to take the kick as regualr kicker Magilton was out of the side. Referee Butler had no choice but to point to the spot when Michael Brown handled a James Scowcroft cross. Johnson, who has previously missed two penalties for Town, put the ball to Tracey's right in a not altogether convincing manner but the 'keeper dived the wrong way.
The second half was a scrappy affair with neither side really getting a grip on the game. The Blades equaliser was typical of this scappiness. A long kick from Tracey seemed to confuse the Town centre-halves and, with his back to the goal, Marcus Bent looped the ball over an advanced Richard Wright. It was nmore than United deserved as it was their first attack of the second half.
The game continued in this manner with passes going astray, bad crosses, woeful corners and some poor misses. Johnson and Scoecroft both missed excellent opportunities on an afternoon most would rather forget.
Not a great afternoon by any strextch of the imagination with only Barnsley's result worth cheering. Town wil have to play better in home games if they are going to go up as Sheffield United really weren't very good. Magiltion is sorely missed and Jermaine Wright still seems out of sorts since his move to Town. We are creating chances though, however these are not being taken and the purchase of Marcus Stewart (who scored two goals for Huddersfield this afternoon) or a similar player could make a great deal of difference to the season.
R Wright 6 At fault on goal? Also uncharacteristically flapped at a cross
Croft 7 Solid enough
McGreal 6 What went on on goal?
Mowbray 6 As above
Venus 5 Woeful passing as usual
Clapham 6 Not at his best
Holland 7 OK performance
J Wright 5 Still not up to much
Scowcroft 7 Not up to usual brilliance
Johnson 7 Scored penalty, but still not at his best
Naylor 6 Not a great afternoon
Town are reported to be lookinf abroad for a new striker as the Marcus Stewart deal looks on dodgy ground. Harelbeke striker David Paas is rumoured to be interesting Town with the club apparently represented when Paas scored in his side's 6-3 home win over Beveren last week.
£400,000 is reported to be the value of the player previously at Portugal's Vitoria Guimaraes.
Also supposed to be on the George Burley shopping list is Tromso striker Rune Lange as mentioned here earlier in the week. A move to England has been on the cards for some while for the top scorer in Norway.