Tommy Smith ensured Nahki Wells and his Huddersfield teammates kept up the pressure on the Championship's top two with a 1-0 victory over resurgent Aston Villa.
Stand-in skipper Smith drilled home his fourth goal of the season as Huddersfield hit back after a morale-sapping defeat to leaders Newcastle on Saturday.
Despite not playing well Huddersfield dug in and got their reward in the 69th minute when Wells came on and immediately caused problems for Villa.
Huddersfield won the corner which led to the goal in the 69th minute. Aaron Mooy pulled the ball back to the unmarked Smith who burst forward past a defender and arrowed home a hard, low finish across Johnstone and into the far corner.
Huddersfield saw the game out but could have sealed it in the 90th minute when Wells tried an audacious long-range lob when he spotted Johnstone off his line.
The keeper back-pedalled and the ball landed on the roof of the net.
RAI SIMONS
Scott Laird's goal in the 54th minute gave Walsall a 1-0 win over Rai Simons’ Chesterfield teammates at the Banks' Stadium.
Simons was an unused substitute in this Sky Bet League One fixture that was previously postponed due to a waterlogged pitch back on February 28th.
