Town's under-18 side were unlucky not to grab all three points in this FA Premier Academy League encounter at Storthes Hall after a dominant performance, but credit to visitors Bolton for their defensive resolve in keeping the Terriers at bay.

Mitchell's side responded well to the previous weekend's 5-0 reversal at Manchester City and a side made predominantly consisting of first-year scholars out played their Lancastrian counterparts.

The Terriers lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, with first-year professional 'keeper Simon Eastwood playing behind a defence consisting of left-back Daniel Codman, centre-backs Liam Ridehalgh and Spencer Harris and right-back Dave Pickering. Curtis Roberts, Jack Hunt and Lewis Nightingale made up the midfield trio, leaving Luke Durham and Dave Heagney to play either side of the central James Spencer up front.

Town's youngsters had much the better of what was a good game played on the excellent Storthes Hall pitch and were unlucky not to grab all three points. Midfielder Hunt went closest to breaking the deadlock with an excellent shot from the edge of the box that struck the post - one of three good opportunities that the skilful youngster went close to converting throughout the game.

The Bolton goalkeeper made several good saves throughout the game to deny Graham Mitchell's side, with his final stop denying midfielder Nightingale a late winner. All in all, our under-18 side could count themselves unlucky not to make the breakthrough.

Eastwood didn't have much to do in the game but played well whereas stand-in centre-back Ridehalgh performed admirably. The role was not new to the first-year scholar, who is usually deployed on the left side of defence or midfield; he played in the heart of the defence for the under-16 side on numerous occasions.

Under-18 boss Graham Mitchell was happy with his team's performance.

"I was very pleased with our performance and I thought it was an ideal response to our heavy defeat at Manchester City the previous weekend," 'Mitch' explained.

"I've been busy with the first-team alongside Gerry Murphy all week, but the under-16 boss Chris Howarth did an excellent job with the under-18 lads in training all week and I thought it showed in the game."

When asked about his time with the first-team, it was clear that the former Town centre-back is enjoying his temporary role.

"It's been a great experience for me," Graham continued. "It's been good towork alongside Gerry Murphy and I thought we performed very well against Doncaster Rovers; it was just a shame that we couldn't get the win."

Several of the scholars are missing through injury, but hopes are high that all will play some part in one of the two remaining Academy fixtures this season. Danny Broadbent's ankle injury sustained in the recent reserve-team win at Oldham Athletic is not as bad as first feared and midfielder Tom Jackson is also making a good recovery having picked up a nasty knock in the same game. Commanding centre-back Leigh Franks is out with a knee problem, whereas winger Stephen Brook missed out with a bruised shin.

Huddersfield Town:

Simon Eastwood, Dave Pickering, Daniel Codman, Curtis Roberts (Lewis Collinson 70), Spencer Harris, Liam Ridehalgh, Luke Durham, Jack Hunt, James Spencer, Lewis Nightingale, Dave Heagney (Danny Barlow 70)

Unused Substitutes: Chris Pert, Luke Williams