Town's under-18 side played well at Barnsley on Saturday morning but were denied all three points by a controversial penalty decision early in the second-half.

Midfielder Jack Hunt put the Terriers ahead in the first 20 minutes and despite the frustration of the penalty award, Graham Mitchell's side can be optimistic going into Wednesday's important FA Youth Cup Second Round fixture at Tranmere Rovers.

Town lined up in their customary 4-3-3 formation as the game commenced; Simon Eastwood started the game in goal as an overage player in order to build his fitness up following his recent fractured foot and he was protected by a back four of (from left to right) Tom Jackson, Daniel Codman, Leigh Franks and Dave Pickering. Spencer Harris pushed forward from his usual role as a centre-back to partner Lewis Nightingale and Jack Hunt in midfield with Curtis Roberts and Stephen Brook flanking the central Danny Broadbent in attack.

The visiting Terriers side took a deserved 20^th minute lead through Jack Hunt (pictured). Some good one-touch football in midfield involving Nightingale, Harris and Broadbent released the young midfielder in on goal and he made no mistake in beating the Barnsley goalkeeper to register his second goal in as many games.

Graham Mitchell's side continued to dominate possession until the half-hour mark, at which point the hosts came back into the game and finished the half strongly. However, it took a very controversial penalty a minute into the second period for the Tykes to level things up.

The spot-kick was awarded after 'keeper Eastwood advanced to the right-hand side of his box to block the shot of an onrushing striker; the Town custodian visibly pushed the ball away with his hand, but the referee deemed the challenge to be a foul nonetheless. Nobody thought it was a penalty, but the Barnsley player didn't spurn the gift and put his side level.

The penalty visibly lifted the home side for the next ten minutes, but Town then took control once more and had a few good chances to win the game before the final whistle - Broadbent being denied on a couple of occasions and substitute Dave Heagney having a decent effort. However, the game ended with the scores still level.

Manager Mitchell was disappointed for his team, but optimistic for the week ahead.

"I was gutted for the boys, as they played well in the game," Mitchell explained to htafc.com. "We deserved to win the game but sometimes these things happen and you have to put it behind you."

"We're doing a bit of work today and tomorrow in preparation for Wednesday's game at Tranmere in the FA Youth Cup. We always play them in pre-season and we know we are in for a hard game, but as I always say we will win if we play as we can do."

Huddersfield Town

Simon Eastwood, David Pickering, Tom Jackson, Jack Hunt, Leigh Franks, Daniel Codman, Curtis Roberts (Luke Durham 60), Spencer Harris, Daniel Broadbent (c), Stephen Brook (David Heagney 60), Lewis Nightingale

Unused Subs: Danny Barlow, Liam Ridehalgh, Chris Pert

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