RHYS SEES RED BUT POTTERS HANG ON

MICHAEL O’Neill praised the character and re-silience of his Stoke side as they held on with ten men to earn a point at Huddersfield.

- George Riley 

The Terriers took an early lead through a deflected shot from right-back Pipa, before Stoke levelled through a Steven Fletcher penalty. Rhys Norrington-Davies saw red in first-half stoppage time but the Potters dug in after the break to cling on for a point.

“I thought in the circumstances it was a hard-earned and well-earned point,” said O’Neill, whose side are without a win since Christmas.

“At the time I thought the red card was harsh as clearly he takes the ball. I’ve seen it back and I can understand that it looks reckless and, on that basis, the referee is justified in giving it.”

Huddersfield hit the front from their first attack. Isaac Mbenza attracted two defenders on the right edge of the area, and rolled the ball back for Pipa to strike a deflected 20yard drive into the bottom corner with new Stoke goalkeeper Angus Gunn rooted to the spot.