Huddersfield Town 3 Hull City 1

Last updated : 15 November 2003 By Footymad Previewer

John Stead and Andy Booth's flourishing striking partnership was too hot to handle for floundering-League leaders Hull City.

The Tigers resembled kittens as they fell to their third straight defeat, at this fast becoming Fortress McAlpine Stadium.

Huddersfield were forced to put out a team of young guns due to nine senior players being ruled out through a mixture of injury and suspensions but they still proved too strong for Peter Taylor's men.

A furious start to this blood and thunder Yorkshire derby offered little in the way of chances for either side. But midway through the half a defensive blunder opened the door for Stead.

A hopeful Danny Schofield ball beyond the Hull defence caused chaos just outside the box. Marc Joseph's header past his keeper meant Stead could tuck away his 12th of the season.

Minutes later another defensive mix up led to number two. Stead pressured Andy Dawson and won the ball on the by line before neatly tucking the ball into the path of Andy Booth at the edge of the six yard box who cleanly tucked away.

The second half did see a revival from Hull and they could have clawed their way back into the game but for some solid defending from a much-changed Town back three.

The Terriers soaked up the pressure and continued to look dangerous on the break with both Stead and man of the match John Worthington going close.

Danny Schofield finally made the three points a certainty with a scuffed shot that keeper Alan Fettis couldn't reach.

Hull did grab a consolation when ex-Leeds United forward Jamie Forrester thundered a 25 yard rocket past Town keeper Phil Senior.

Hull City Manager Peter Taylor refused to concede that his team selection was wrong for the clash with the Terriers even after the 4,000 travelling fans chanted throughout the name of club skipper Justin Whittle who was sensationally dropped.

"I stand by the selection," he said. "We lost to three comical goals from defensive errors, otherwise I thought it was a balanced game." Huddersfield boss Peter Jackson praised his players and said: "Home form was a priority when I came here. Now teams know if they come they are in for a hard game."