Town and Huddersfield shared the points from a scrappy and scruffy 0-0 draw at the John Smith’s Stadium. The Terriers had the game’s two significant chances with Lee Novak shooting wide when well placed in the first half, then after the break Stephen Henderson blocked from the striker and then the rebound from midfielder Neil Danns.

Blues boss Mick McCarthy named an unchanged side and bench — with Manchester United’s Reece Brown set to join on loan in the next few days - for Town’s first visit to the John Smith’s Stadium since the 1999/00 promotion season.

Terriers boss Mark Robins, a former Canary, made four changes having conceded 10 goals in his first two games in charge. Ex-Blues Alan Lee and Nick Colgan were left out of the 18.

With Town wearing last year’s black away kit, the game started cagily but in the sixth minute David McGoldrick’s flicked header put strike partner Michael Chopra through on goal. However, with the linesman flag raised in any case, the Town frontman shot wide.

On eight, Adam Clayton’s freekick on the left was half-cleared to Scott Arfield, whose strike from the edge of the box was deflected over by Richard Stearman.

Clayton shot wide on 12 with the home side marginally on top in a scrappy opening spell with the pitch already looking like a park surface.

On-loan Norwich man James Vaughan weakly headed to Stephen Henderson in the 20th minute with the home side still having more of what had been a somewhat uninspiring game yet to really get going, particularly in Town’s case.

Terriers keeper Alex Smithies eventually dealt with an awkward looking ball over the top that McGoldrick chased, the uneven surface having threatening to cause him a problem.

The home side continued to present the greater threat and on the half hour Luke Chambers’s clearance from a corner from the left only reached Arfield, whose shot was blocked by McGoldrick.

There was a scare for the Blues on 35 when Novak was played in behind Town’s backline by Clayton but he scraped his shot well wide. The Blues players appeared to have a very valid claim that Luke Hyam was fouled when Huddersfield had regained possession midway inside their half.

A 39th minute Town corner caused chaos in the Huddersfield box but with Chambers and then Stearman both unable to get in shots at goal. The ball ran to Hyam, whose strike was blocked by the diving Peter Clarke.

After Smithies had almost gifted the ball to Chopra at one end, dropping it before claiming at the second attempt, Henderson confidently held on to a Vaughan strike from distance as the half moved into injury time.

Seconds before the whistle, Henderson punched a Clayton cross from the left but only found Arfield, whose strike was superbly blocked by Hyam.

It had been a scruffy half typical of most of Town’s recent matches, perhaps even more so. The home side had had most of the ball on a difficult surface to play football and in Novak’s opportunity had had the best chance of the game. Town had threatened little and had created almost nothing.

The second half began in much the same manner as the first had ended. On 49 Chopra sent Edwards away down the right but the Blues’ skipper was let down by the surface and his cross flew behind.

Huddersfield had their second decent chance of the afternoon in the 50th minute when Novak was sent through one on one with Henderson. The Irishman did well to block and then again when well out of his goal stood firm after the loose ball fell to Danns.

The game was becoming more open with both sides starting to look more capable of creating opportunities. On 56 Novak looked certain to score after taking down Vaughan’s header inside the six-yard box, but only having fouled Murphy.

Three minutes later, Novak was swapped for returning former Terrier Theo Robinson, who joined on loan from Derby yesterday, the home fans giving the striker a warm reception.

Vaughan picked up the game’s first yellow card in the 62nd minute for needlessly clattering into keeper Henderson after the on-loan West Ham man had claimed the ball.

Sub Robinson should have put his side in front in the 72nd minute when a high ball was sent down the middle. The Derby loanee got behind the Town defence but initially air-kicked the bouncing ball and then failed to get it under control before Tommy Smith got back to put it behind.

Murphy, whose shirt had been torn around the collar soon after he came on, managed two shots in the 74th minute, the first striking a defender and the second failing to trouble Smithies.

On 79 Henderson failed to deal with a Jack Hunt cross from the right and fellow sub Sean Scannell stabbed wide. Given his position, the former Crystal Palace man would have done to have scored.

The busy Chopra, who had had little opportunity to add to last week’s goal against Blackpool, was replaced by Frank Nouble for the final six minutes.

Hunt shot straight at Henderson as the match entered its final two scheduled minutes with the home side looking the more likely to break the deadlock.

The fourth official’s board indicated four minutes of additional time as Clarke got in ahead of Nouble after Edwards sent in a low cross from the right.

Not long before the whistle, the Terriers thought they had the chance to win it when Vaughan nodded down to Robinson, but the linesman’s flag was raised and Henderson in any case saved.

Overall, it was an almost entirely forgettable Championship scrap with the second half marginally better than the first.

Huddersfield had the better chances, the double opportunity well-saved by Henderson the best after the break, while at the other end Smithies was never seriously tested.

Depriving one of their survival rivals of two points is probably as important to manager Mick McCarthy as gaining one with a tricky home game against Leicester up next.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Dixon, Gerrard, P Clarke (c), Woods, Gobern (Scannell 64), Danns, Arfield, Clayton (Hunt 75), Novak (Robinson 59), Vaughan. Unused: Bennett, Norwood, Lynch, Wallace.

Town: Henderson, Stearman, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards (c), N'Daw, Hyam, Martin (Drury 78), Chopra (Nouble 84), McGoldrick (Murphy 54). Unused: Loach, Hewitt, Kisnorbo, Mclean. Referee: Mike Dean (Wirral). Att: 13,083 (Town: 976).

Photo: Action Images

ShropshireBluenago09 added 18:35 - Feb 23 Agree with Dozzells, Edmunds 5 - Nothing is predictable in this league. Teams like Huddersfield, Bristol City, Barsnley, Posh, all down the bottom, have all beat top teams this season. Under Keane or Jewell we WOULD have gone behind and had to chase the game. At least under Mick, the stupid goals have stopped. We all know we need wide men but as ive said before on here who do you get in better than we already have at this stage of the season?

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TheHighwayman added 18:46 - Feb 23 What's more important to the vile gold-digger Mick? His million quid or the reputation of itfc, his own reputation and proper footballing entertainment? Answers on a postcard. How can anyone claim to be a fan of the club under this revolting invisible man's ownership? Answers on the same postcard.
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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 18:49 - Feb 23 TheHighwayman - I think you will find he is trying to keep us in this division by making us hard to beat. Judge him next year. Vile ??? Oh and i am and always will be a fan of this club and dont give a toss if i never see ME.
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sirbenofmorlingshire added 18:51 - Feb 23 Notice McGoldrick was subbed on 54mins... injured, that ineffictive, change of formation, no mention of it in the report that I can see - shame he's not banging them in, I was looking at the tables the other day and I think (please say if I'm wrong) we've scored the least goals this season in the championship (bar maybe 1 other team), which says it all really. Like a lot of people are saying, a points a point, nothing in this leauge is easy or predictable (see Milwall vs P'boro during the week), but we really need to start scoring!

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MickMillsTash added 19:08 - Feb 23 Hard to remember a worse game that I have been ro Both sides utter rubbish, passes kicked of play, mis control, no shots- clueless football - hoof hoof clobber- CRAP, where's the refund? Our Midfield is the problem- Martin didn't even have energy or strength, Edwards way of the pace, N'Daw and Hyam are not a partnership, the fans can see it the players must know and McCarthy should change it . 4 games 1 goal we haven't looked like scoring in any of them. I have no idea why he takes McGoldrick off- we look worse (if possible) when he leaves the pitch. Nobile is anything but a footballer. The Defence looks solid, Chambers has been a good signing, Smith and Stearman reliable, Cresswell needs to do more going forward. Henderson compliments- lets hops he stays until the end of the season. Leicester home then 2 (hard ?) away games, it shouldn't be tough but I am struggling to see it being anything but.

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JWM added 19:09 - Feb 23 You lot were moaning when we were shipping in 2 or 3 goals a game earlier in the season and now you moan when we begin to keep clean sheets! Yes its going to be a nail biter to the end of the season but MM has done wonders since he came here! We were dead and buried at one stage and now we have a fighting chance of survival. We are 4 points clear of the drop zone as it stands tonight which is something to be positive about.

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StochesStotasBlewe added 19:29 - Feb 23 One shot against a side who were shipping goals for fun. If we stay up, it will be by the skin of our teeth. Must at least have a go when up against poor opposition like todays are. JWM, Mick has done wonders in that respect, but teams below & around us have a game in hand so another big oppertunity lost today to give us a little breathing space.
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marco007 added 19:30 - Feb 23 That has to be one of this most inept performances I have ever witnessed against such a poor team. I for one can not wait until the season ends if this is the dross we have to pay to watch! Just hope things improve next year as I can no long justify paying to watch this !
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h32 added 19:30 - Feb 23 MM will always be able to produce a team which is reasonably hard to beat - we needed that - and he has to some degree achieved just that, but when you need points, as we do, or very soon will - YOU NEED TO LOOK A LITTLE BIT MORE EFFECTIVE UP THE OTHER END - than we do right NOW........
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runningout added 19:45 - Feb 23 we havent had the clinical mentality to overhaul and thrash teams for too long.. Know we beat Boro well, but that was so rare.. Our midfield is lacking any ounce of flare and cannot create or read the game.. it's getting a little obvious now, and the weak links are not trying hard enough to improve, they seem happy to be almost static with their backs to goal
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TimmyH added 19:56 - Feb 23 agree with h32...he's (MM) sorted the defense out but starting to look a bit of a desperate outfit away from home where we seem totally bereft of ideas on the attacking side. Lee Martin as part of that attacking threat or lack of it day's could be numbered at Portman Road as well as a few others.
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NoelTheDub added 20:03 - Feb 23 Can anyone explain to me why has mick took another defender on loan,are we going to defend our way to div1.Clearly the middle of the park and out wide is our problem.Everyone around us can score they my not win every week but they are dragging us in because they score goals something we lack.
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ameron added 20:15 - Feb 23 One of the worst games i have watched all season! At times i could'nt beleive i was watching championship football! The only positive coming from today's game was the fans;they must of been nearly 1000 of us making the long trip from suffolk. It was just a shame about the game.
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TimmyH added 20:18 - Feb 23 1000 supporters! - great following but how much did the day cost you? and was it realy worth it to watch what I've heard as a diabolically poor game. At present we are a pretty poor away side which needs improving quickly if we are to avoid the drop.
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ipswichjon added 20:25 - Feb 23 This was a truly dreadful match, drab, lifeless crowd and bloody freezing with it. Positives, not many, but we did show some tenacity in midfield, Hyam's tackling and the back four's resolution were hallmarks of MM's reign. Chopra and McGoldrick were lively in their work rate and movement but there service was awful. Negatives mainly in midfield, no creativity and despite their work rate Edwards and Martin were very poor and offered nothing going forward. Hopefully MM already sees the lack of creativity and is working on solving it for next season. In short we need pace & trickery out wide and at least 1 creative or box to box goalscoring central midfielder. COYB!

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MickMillsTash added 20:27 - Feb 23 Based on the majority of the last 6 homes games we are more often rubbish at home as well- Bristol City, Barnsley, Brighton, M'boro, Blackpool and Watford?
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runningout added 20:57 - Feb 23 Going down if our ropey midfield doesnt take a reality check
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h32 added 22:17 - Feb 23 .....great credit to all you travelling fans today - as much as we all love our Club you really have to ask yourselves - is it really worth the dedication and expense ?? - today it certainly wasn't.
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Millsey added 08:39 - Feb 24 The strikers are not scoring because they dont get any service from the midfield. Van Persie would struggle to score in our team
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LankHenners added 09:13 - Feb 24 Remember - Brian McDermott came into Reading, and started his campaign by strengthening the back line. Once this was in place, he started to improve other areas on the pitch and hey presto, it worked. I think (and hope) this is similar to what McCarthy is doing with us.
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brittaniaman added 09:56 - Feb 24 I agree with some posts on here that Edwards need to be rested,,, as he has more poor games than good ones now !!! coincidence or not, since he has been moved forward he seems to have lost it !!!! A change is certainly needed on the right flank ?? perhaps somebody who can stay on that flank ?? to get some decent deliveries in to the box ???
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lonelyblue added 11:29 - Feb 24 Good point Henners. Also, MM can't possibly turn around every area of the team in half a season. Maybe not in one and a half seasons. We all know there's lots of work needs to be done in the attacking third, which requires 5 or 6 players to be able to ping the ball about and create and finish chances. Sounds easy? Isn't, not with the squad he inherited, not with what he's been able to add in a short space of time - unlucky with Wordsworth - especially since, unsurprisingly, most clubs aren't prepared to let their dynamic, attacking, flair players go to another club mid-season.. On the basis then that we are not going to be able to beat teams 4-3, BigFatJoe style, MM is getting the WHOLE team to defend better, which is something that he can successfully achieve in the time frame. I too am concerned that, on the whole, he is a more negatively minded manager and a positively minded one. We will see. Alright, managers can overdo it, but they have to get the whole team defending as a unit when necessary in order to achieve any form of success. PJ's team didn't do this at all, and with mediocrity in your squad upfront, you are going to lose most games this way.

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blue_moon09 added 13:50 - Feb 24 How many of you Muppets that leave stupid comments on here actually went yesterday? 1 or 2 . I was was there like I'am every week and I'm happy with a point MM will clear the decks and build his own team that will be hard to beat and hopefully challange for Play of places in time, so stop moaning and go to games and support the team a point is a point if jewell was manager ITFC would have relegated by Xmas.

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h32 added 17:33 - Feb 24 blue moon09 - bravo for you !!! - but have you ever heard of 'sarcasm being the lowest form of wit' - no, I guess not. Pathetic comment to say that only 1 or 2 posters on here went to the game yesterday - maybe you should reassess who is the 'real muppet' ?? - keep being 'happy with a point' and you'll see where we are at the end of the season !! ......
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LankHenners added 18:01 - Feb 24 Another point - remember that fabulous 5-1 win over West Ham? Hyam and Drury played in midfield together in that one and it worked really well. I'm not saying doing that we will win every game 5-1 if we play them together but surely it's worth a go? Also agree with other posters - JET deserves a chance in these final games: we could do with his creativity, unpredictability and, importantly, his willing to have a shot at goal.

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