Ashley Fletcher's penalty just before half time, resounded Huddersfield Town to another defeat piling pressure on manager Carlos Corberan, as they plumetted to 19th in the Sky Bet Championship, five points above the drop zone.

Huddersfield Town started well with a sublime free kick beautifully placed by Isaac Mbenza in the ninth minute, a precise finish by the number 18 beating Marcus Bettinelli all ends up. This would be the goalscorer's only major contribution on the night after being brought off midway through the first half with a calf injury. 

Middlesbrough constantly knocked on the door and made a quick comeback, with a stunning strike by Duncan Watmore from the right flank, the winger cutting in and placing the ball neatly beyond Ryan Schofield. The Teesside outfit soon got themselves in front after Darnell Fisher was brought down recklessly by Lewis O'Brien in the penalty area. Ashley Fletcher converted from the spot making no mistake squeezing the ball past the Terriers keeper on the verge of half time.

Town kept pushing in the second phase of the contest looking dangerous in the latter part of the game to equalise through their substitute reinforcements. Boro did suffer a late setback with Paddy McNair given a straight red card in the 81st minute for a dangerous two-footed tackle on Juninho Bacuna, ruling him out for three vital games in their play-off push.

For the Terriers, Aaron Rowe was a breath of fresh air on the wing with Kieran Phillips giving his all up top to help the team. But it wasn't meant to be for the West Yorkshire outfit who suffered defeat yet again with no win in nine competitive games, with pressure mounting on Corberan's and the club's future. 

Following another disappointing performance, the Town boss spoke to Club TV and gave his thoughts on the 90 minutes.

  • The Spanian spoke about the frustrations Middlesbrough posed and the teams reaction:

"Their two strikers, and the mobility of Watmore, caused us problems and we didn't do enough in the first half. The reaction of the team in the second half was what I wanted. O'Brien won second balls and Rowe had an impact on the left."

  • He felt the team created enough chances to trouble the Middlesbrough defence:

"We created enough chances to unbalance the game in the second half, but unfortunately we didn't. We have to avoid giving away penalties, as it happens too often recently. We had to win more second balls, and we wanted to improve that with O'Brien."

  • He admitted defensive errors cost the team:

"We didn't organise in defence between the 15th and 45th minute, and that is my responsibility. We have to adapt to the situations the opponents present  and we didn't. We need to improve our levels in defence."

  • On Isaac Mbenza's injury:

"Isaac Mbenza has been playing with pain for two weeks, and tonight it became too much. We'll see how he is in the next few days and after treatment ahead of Saturday's game."

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Looking Forward:

Huddersfield have Swansea City up next on the weekend at home in the Sky Bet Championship, with Derby County on the agenda next Tuesday evening at Pride Park.  

Town are now in danger off falling into the drop zone after their poor run of results. The Terriers will need a better performance if they are to give themselves breathing space at the bottom end of the table, and stay in the Sky Bet Championship.

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