A dramatic late winner from Michael Collins sent the Town fans home in a jubilant mood this afternoon after visitors Walsall looked like they had forced a stalemate. A Gary Roberts penalty gave Town a half-time lead before a stunning strike from Walsall's Alex Nicholls levelled things soon after the interval, but the added time finish gave Gerry Murphy's side all three points after a stop-start second half.

Town started the game in their 3-5-2 formation, with Alex Smithies making his first League start of the season behind a back three of Butler, Berrett and Nathan Clarke. Williams and skipper Holdsworth played as left and right wing-backs respectively, with Goodwin just behind Craney and Collins in central midfield. Up front, Roberts partnered Cadamarteri.

Both sides were battling hard for the ball in the early stages of the game, with Walsall's physical strike force of Ibehre and Ricketts a real handful for the Town defence. Galpharm debutant Smithies had a few early touches of the ball and his competent work drew early applause from the home fans.

The first shot of the game came in the 15^th minute through the impressive Danny Cadamarteri. The pacey striker picked up a big clearing header from Butler on the right flank before cutting inside and hitting a powerful left-footed effort, with Walsall 'keeper Gilmartin pushing the ball around the near post.

Play was quite congested in the centre of the park and both sides were struggling to muster any shots on target.

That all changed in the 24^th minute when Town were awarded a penalty by referee Haines. Michael Collins picked up a loose ball in midfield before making a typical surging run into the left channel, beating one man before outmuscling right-back Weston. As he entered the penalty area a nudge in Collins' back from the recovering defender sent the Town man sprawling and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.

GOAL - Up stepped Gary Roberts to send the goalkeeper the wrong way, placing his low shot into the corner of the goal, in front of the Town fans in the Pink Link Stand, to give Town the lead.

The visitors applied some pressure to Town following the goal, but Town's back three held their own.

BOOKING - Former England striker Michael Ricketts became the first player to be booked in the 35^th minute for a late challenge on Nathan Clarke in front of the away dugout.

Walsall finally mustered a shot in the 41^st minute, but Palmer's long range free-kick was seen wide of the right-hand post in confident fashion by Smithies.

HALF-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 1 WALSALL 0

Neither side made any changes in personnel as the second-half got underway and the visitors soon drew level.

GOAL - Walsall were awarded a free-kick down their left flank and after the long Chris Palmer ball into the box was cleared to the edge of the box, winger Alex Nicholls hit a screaming right-foot volley to Smithies' left side - giving him absolutely no chance.

Town tried to hit back in the 56^th minute, but having sidestepped his marker Robbie Williams screwed his shot well wide from 25 yards out.

The Terriers were starting to knock on the door more often and it took Gilmartin two attempts to gather in a fizzing cross from Collins with Ian Craney nearby.

BOOKING - Walsall defender Stephen Roberts was booked in the 60^th minute for a pull on Ian Craney's shirt as he tried to burst into the box.

BOOKING - Jim Goodwin was booked in the 62^nd minute after he caught Jabo Ibehre on the edge of the Walsall box as he cleared the ball up field.

BOOKING - Danny Cadamarteri followed him into the book for a late challenge on defender Roberts in the 65^th minute.

Two minutes later a deep Craney corner was headed towards the back post by Butler, but the Walsall 'keeper easily gathered the ball in.

SUB - Roberts was injured by the challenge and was replaced by Paul Boertien four minutes later.

Cadamarteri sent a long shot well wide of goal in the 72^nd minute.

SUB - Walsall made their second substitution in the same minute, bringing on former Town man Dwayne Mattis for Mark Bradley.

SUB - Malvin Kamara was introduced to the game by Gerry Murphy in the 74^th minute; he replaced Robbie Williams. This change saw Roberts switch to the left wing, with the substitute joining Cadamarteri in attack.

BOOKING - Rhys Weston became the latest booking of the game in the 78^th minute after a sliding challenge brought Danny Cadamarteri crashing down.

Walsall striker Ibehre then missed one of the best chances in the game a minute later; Deeney beat James Berrett to a header and the big striker raced onto the ball through on goal. With only Smithies to beat, he blasted a poor effort wide of the near post.

BOOKING - Berrett was unbelievably booked for his part in the 50-50 challenge.

Ian Craney then headed a header from Ricketts off the line after a Walsall corner.

BOOKING - Andy Butler was the next player to be booked in the 83^rd minute after a body check on winger Deeney.

SUB - Marco Reich replaced Stephen Hughes for Walsall in added time.

The game was frustratingly stop-start towards the end, with Kamara having a decent attempt at an overhead kick deflected behind by a defender.

GOAL - Deep into added time, Murphy's Town scored the winner through Michael Collins. A towering header from Cadamarteri on the edge of the box sent the ball looping towards Craney, who turned it into the path of the onrushing midfielder. Collins took the ball into area and drew the goalkeeper before sending a perfect shot high into the top score from 12 yards to send the Galpharm into ecstasy.

FULL-TIME: HUDDERSFIELD TOWN 2 WALSALL 1

Huddersfield Town:

Alex Smithies, Andy Holdsworth, Michael Collins, Ian Craney, Nathan Clarke, Danny Cadamarteri, Jim Goodwin, Robbie Williams, Gary Roberts, Andy Butler, James Berrett

Unused Subs: Matt Glennon, Tom Clarke, Phil Jevons, Malvin Kamara, Chris Lucketti

Town Bookings: Jim Goodwin (62), Danny Cadamarteri (65), James Berrett (79), Andy Butler (83)

Walsall Bookings: Michael Ricketts (35), Stephen Roberts (60)

Attendance: 11,827

Visitors: 223