An excellent late free-kick from Joe Skarz proved to be nothing more than a consolation in this afternoon's 2-1 Pontin's Holidays League defeat at Walsall.

The left-back's first goal of the season came after two second-half goals from Walsall's Michael Dobson and Ishmel Demontagnac that proved enough to see off Town.

John Dungworth's side had the best of a goalless first-half, with Malvin Kamara causing a few problems on the right flank and Danny Racchi putting a back-post header wide in Town's best chance. However, Simon Eastwood had to be alert as the opening 45 minutes came to a close in order to block an effort from Chris Hanna after the Saddlers' got through on goal.

Racchi also had a couple of shots saved well by Walsall goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu and Academy striker Danny Broadbent went close to scoring with an effort.

The experienced Dobson opened the scoring three minutes into the half with a deflected effort that gave Eastwood no chance but Kamara led the fight-back, immediately going on a mazy run before shooting inches wide of Bertrand Bossu's post.

Winger Demontagnac doubled Walsall's advantage on 68 minutes with his own free-kick before Skarz converted following a foul on Malvin Kamara.

htafc.com spoke to a John Dungworthabout the game and he told us that he was quite pleased despite the result.

"We were very good in the first-half. Simon Eastwood didn't have much to do and I felt that we were in control of the game. We passed the ball well - at a good tempo - and we looked very confident.

"They then scored right at the start of the second-half with a speculative effort that went through a crowd of players - it was a disappointing goal to concede from our point of view. I'd also debate whether their second goal should have been a free-kick, but fair play to the lad as he converted it well.

"All in all, we played well for three quarters of the game. Malvin Kamara did well down the right side and a few of the other players did quite well too."

Huddersfield Town Reserves:

Simon Eastwood, Aaron Hardy, Joe Skarz, Tom Clarke, David Mirfin, Shane Killock (Luke Malcher 46), Malvin Kamara, Matthew Young, Daniel Broadbent (Tom Jackson 60), Mitchell Bailey, Danny Racchi

Unused Substitutes: Curtis Roberts, Daniel Codman