Match Report: Huddersfield v Bolton

Well that was fun.

In an absolutely textbook smash and grab display, Bolton Wanderers soaked up the Huddersfield Town pressure and struck in injury time to record just the 11th win of what has been a troubling and disappointing league season.

Manager Dougie Freedman tinkered with his line-up beforehand, restoring Chung Yong Lee to the side in favour of former West Ham man Rob Hall, whilst also bringing in Liam Trotter to the midfield, with Joe Mason finding himself on the bench.

Following a strong start, the home hit the bar through former Wanderers academy graduate Danny Ward (with credit to Adam Bogdan for a fingertip save), whilst Wanderers themselves had two efforts cleared off the line following strikes from captain Jay Spearing twice cleared off the line.

Despite the goalmouth action, the game appeared to be heading towards a goalless draw following some wayward finishing. Chung Yong Lee was especially responsible when he hit the post following an extremely presentable opportunity. Lee was also denied a penalty after going down under a challenge from Peter Clarke, while at the other end Bogdan was called on to stop an Oscar Gobern header.

Chances continued to be missed, with Huddersfield goalkeeper Smithies having to deny loan pair Lukas Jutkiewicz and Neil Danns, and Bogdan twice called on by Ward.

Wanderers would also feel aggrieved to have another penalty claim rejected when Smithies challenged former Huddersfield man Jermaine Beckford, but it did not matter thanks to Mason's late winner.

So now we're up to 15th.

Whoopy-doo.

Dougie Freedman:

"We wouldn't have got this result four months ago. It's been a difficult time but we have always known the answers.

"I took on this job 20 months ago and I said I wanted people here who were coming, not because we had been in the Premier League or because of the stadium, but because they wanted to play for the shirt.

"We know [we] have a resolute resilience and commitment among the players and we are playing good football."

Mark Robins:

"We did not defend a set play and that has cost us the point we had. The players have a responsibility to pick up their men and defend.

"You have to do your job but we didn't do that, and it's tough to take. We battered them in terms of possession but we haven't seen the game through.

"I am disappointed with the season so far after we made a bright start. We can't afford to continue in the same vein or we'll be looking over our shoulders."

Adam Bogdan
Alan Hutton
Tim Ream
Medo Kamara (Booked)
Zat Knight
David Wheater
Neil Danns
Jay Spearing (c)
Lukas Jutkiewicz (Beckford - 83' )
Liam Trotter (Mason - 71' )
Chung Yong Lee

Substitutes
Matt Mills
Jermaine Beckford
Rob Hall
Andre Moritz
Alex Baptiste
Andy Lonergan
Joe Mason