Moncur nets his first goal in almost a year as Hatters hold Terriers

George Moncur's first goal for the club in almost a year saw Luton Town pick up a hard-fought and battling point against Huddersfield Town this afternoon.

It had looked like the visitors were on their way to a fourth 1-0 win out of four in Yorkshire this season, Moncur's strike separating the sides at half time, but the Terriers hit back in the second period to equalise, no more than their efforts deserved.

Town boss Nathan Jones made two changes, with Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu coming back into the side after his impressive second half display during Wednesday night's 1-0 win at Rotherham United, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall returning too.

They replaced Ryan Tunnicliffe, who dropped to the bench, where he was joined by Danny Hylton and the fit-again Rhys Norrington-Davies, Joe Morrell missing out completely.

Moncur also kept his place, starting a second successive league game for only the second time since signing for the club back in January 2019.

The visitors looked to carry on from where they left off in midweek, as a crossfield surge by Moncur found Harry Cornick out on the right, who cut on to his left foot and fired at Ben Hamer from the edge of the box.

Huddersfield attacker Josh Koroma had a sighter after being picked out from a corner, his volley well blocked by the recalled Mpanzu.

Koroma was then lucky to stay on as after being booked for fouling Cornick, he slid in recklessly on Mpanzu, but official Oliver Langford, who has proved he isn't afraid to dish out a yellow, kept his cards in his pocket.

Luton took the lead on 21 minutes though, when Dewsbury-Hall swung a free kick into the box, Sonny Bradley meeting it at the far post, with Moncur timing his run perfectly to expertly dispatch a volley beyond Hamer for his first goal since scoring the last-minute winner against Wigan on December 7, 2019.

The hosts started to threaten a leveller as the half progressed, Lewis O'Brien dispossessing Bradley and after bursting into the area, sliced wildly and waywardly off target.

Terriers went close once more on 36 minutes, Matty Pearson losing his footing, and Koroma's sidefooted attempt from 10 yards too close to Sluga.

Huddersfield's leading scorer did have the ball in the net moments later, but a linesman's flag saw the goal chalked out for offside.

Adama Diakhaby's effort was put behind by a combination of Martin Cranie and Sluga, as Town were being pegged back, the hosts' forwards beginning to find pockets of space in and around the area.

They couldn't find a way through through, meaning Luton swapped ends with their noses in front, despite stats revealing they had just 29 per cent possession in the opening period.

After the break, Koroma, who was the hosts danger man, had two glimpses of goal, heading over at the far post when Diakhaby's cross reached him, and then shooting against Glen Rea after getting the better of Pearson.

Terriers had shouts for a penalty when Naby Sarr went over when sandwiched by Pearson and Cranie, although there was nothing doing for official Langford.

With an hour gone, Huddersfield had the equaliser they deserved on the hour mark after a good move on the left saw Harry Toffolo dink a cross into the box where an unmarked Eiting directed his header back across Sluga and into the corner of the net.

As the half wore on, Jones brought on James Bree for his first league outing since mid-September, replacing goalscorer Moncur as Luton look to gain a foothold in the encounter once more, the full back looking to have lost none of his form during his time out injured, also importantly keeping Toffolo from being an attacking threat as well.

Kazenga LuaLua also entered the fray for the tiring Cornick in a bid to keep the Terriers' back-line on their toes, while a head injury forced Luke Berry off for Tunnicliffe in the final 12 minutes.

In stoppage time, the visitors almost nicked a winner, LuaLua spinning his man on the left hand side, sending over a cross that Collins could only divert over the bar.

Even later, Frazier Campbell found some space in the area, but his shot that was heading wide, was smothered by Sluga.

Although the result ended Town's complete dominance in Yorkshire this term, it still kept up their impressive showings in the county, now with seven wins, two draws and just one defeat since returning to the Championship.

Hatters did actually drop a place in the table though, now 10th, but still just two points off the play-off places, ahead of a welcome fortnight off before hosting Blackburn Rovers after the international break.

Terriers: Ben Hamer, Pipa (Demeaco Duhaney 90), Harry Toffolo, Jonathan Hogg ©, Lewis O'Brien, Adama Diakhaby (Christopher Schindler 66), Richard Stearman, Carel Eiting, Josh Koroma (Danny Ward 82), Fraizer Campbell, Naby Sarr.

Subs not used: Joel Pereira, Isaac Mbenza, Jaden Brown, Matt Daly.

Hatters: Simon Sluga, Matty Pearson, Martin Cranie, Glen Rea, Sonny Bradley ©, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Luke Berry (Ryan Tunnicliffe 76), George Moncur (James Bree 60), Pelly-Ruddock Mpanzu, Harry Cornick (Kazenga LuaLua 72), James Collins.

Subs not used: James Shea, Elliot Lee, Danny Hylton, Rhys Norrington-Davies.

Booked: Bradley 10, Koroma 15, Rea 28, Cranie 39, Collins 84, LuaLua 89.

Referee: Oliver Langford.