Atkinson earns a share of the points
Town are within two points of second in the U21 Professional Development League 2 after Chris Atkinson notched to earn a point at Sheffield Wednesday.
The Terriers deserved all three after producing arguably one of their best footballing performances of the season at Middlewood.
However, they had to wait until the second half before they drew themselves level after Gary Madine had given the Owls an early lead.
Neat passing football by Steve Eyre’s men freed Dale Hopson into space who slipped the ball through to Atkinson who made no mistake from 12 yards out.
Town had the ball in the net through Godwin Abadaki in the first half but his effort was chalked off for offside and saw Wednesday’s ‘keeper produce a great save to deny second half substitute Paul Mullin.
Despite knowing that a win would take them second in the league, Town started poorly and fell behind within five minutes when Madine converted a ball from the right from five yards.
The Terriers featured a trialist in Aston Villa winger Josh Barton who looked lively down the left hand side. Playing as a lone front man, Abadaki found himself on the end of a lot of Town moves and in the 19th minute he went close with a shot across the ‘keeper.
The striker had the ball in the net from more neat Town play on the half hour mark, but he was adjudged to have been in offside position.
Town’s dominance continued in the second half and they were eventually rewarded when Atkinson converted a move that started down the left.
Wednesday were more of an attracting threat in the second 45 and went close twice from a header and a low shot before forcing Allinson into a smart save.
The Terriers’ best chance to win the contest fell to second half sub Paul Mullin who saw his shot on the turn expertly pushed wide by Wednesday’s stopper.
Town’s team (4-5-1):
Lloyd Allinson; Robbie McIntyre, Tom Smith, Joe Wilkinson, Israel Johnson; Josh Barton (Paul Mullin, 45), Matt Crooks, Jordan Sinnott, Chris Atkinson, Dale Hopson (Ben Holmes, 86); Godwin Abadaki (Ryan Cox, 90)
Unused substitutes:
Nick Colgan
