However, no matter how well the Essex side performed, Wignall must surely be critised for his negative decision to approach the match with just one forward. The tactic was tried in last weeks away matches at Darlington and Scunthorpe United, it can maybe be accepted away from home, but at home it simply cannot. For the second successive match in-form frontman Leon Constantine was shunted out onto the wing whilst Drewe Broughton became the lone striker.

Of course the Editors of this website endeabor to remain positive at all times, but Broughton has failed to score this season despite featuring in all but one of the matches, and never really theatens to break his duck, whilst Tes Bramble, United's most prolific goalscorer of the last three years warms the bench. Tell me so if you feel I'm wrong, but Wignall's decesion seemed like sheer madness to me.

It was the same starting line-up that drew a goalless blank at the Reynolds Arena four days earlier, but this was a much more lively performance, and Southend wewre on top right from the start, and ohn just four minutes Broughton's 25 yard chip dropped into the arms of Town goalkeeper Ian Gray. Then, just seconds later a fine run by Leke Odunsi saw the midfielder poke the ball through to Mark Gower who fired over the top from the edge of the penalty area.

Terriers' engine-man Jonathan Worthington came to the rescue of his side on eight minutes when he headed off the line after Jamie Stuart had nodded a Gower corner goalwards, then, just another two minutes further in and another Gower flag kick saw Leon Cort's powerful header headed out by Nathan Clarke.

The visitors first opportunity arrived three minutes later, leading marksman Jonathan Stead holding the ball, finding space and smashing a 25 yard shot inches wide of the upright.

In what was certainly an entertaining match, Gower cut in from the left before curling a shot at Gray from 20 yards before the same man volleyed over the bar following neat work by Broughton and Stuart.

A fine run by Constantine saw Clarke do very well to get in a strong block following a low shot, and then, on 37 minutes, Jamie Fullarton superbly won a ball on the edge of his own area before beautifully picking out Gower on the left flank, he played a neat one-two with Broughton before stabbing the ball at the legs of Gray from an acute angle.

It was the Shrimpers turn to clear off the line on 41 minutes, Odunsi nodding away Andy Booth's header following a curling Carss corner, but then,just two minutes later the Shrimpers deservedly took the lead. A long, pin-point Stuart cross fell to Constantine on the right hand side of the box. The tall frontman cum winger lifted the ball into the danger area and Odunsi wonderfully tirned before firing a great volley into the far corner from 15 yards.

Unfortunately, with only seconds remaining until the interval, Huddersfield found time for an equaliser, an almighty long throw-in by Carss saw Booth jump high and loop a header over the head of Darryl Flahavan and into the South Stand net.

It was after the break though that United really came to life, and especially after Bramble had replaced Broughton nine minutes after the re-start, and even more so when the home side finally shuffled into their customary 4-4-2 formation with Constantine at last moving up front.

Indeed it was Bramble, a constant threat to the Town rearguard, who created the first chance of the half on 67 minutes, knocking the ball past the advancing Gray before cutting back and curling a shot inches off target.

Four minutes later though, United were dealt a major blow when Odunsi, enjoying by far the best match of his short Shrimpers career, was carried off following a collision on the edge of the area. His place in midfield was taken by Jay Smith.

As the clocked ticked into the 75th minute Gower chipped a 25 yard free kick at Gray before a fine run by the ex-Barnet man played in Constantine who in turn slipped the ball to Duncan Jupp, but the right backs shot drifted well over the bar.

The visitors first real opportunity of the half came on 78 minutes, Flahavan doing well to tip Booth's low shot wide of the post, but then, only seconds later Bramble flicked the ball onto Gower who turned before seeing his effort well held by Gray.

Amazingly, though, with only their second decent chance of the half Huddersfield grabbed a sjock winner with just a minute remaining. It came from a Shrimpers attack, Smith unfortunately treading on the ball and conceding possession to Danny Schofield who outpaced Maher, running almost the length of the field before slotting past the advancing Flahavan.