Huddersfield twice come from behind to draw at Crawley
Huddersfield twice fought back from a goal down to force a hard-fought 2-2 draw at struggling Crawley.
The Terriers were behind to a Rushian Hepburn-Murphy goal at half time but markedly improved to extend their unbeaten league run to five games.
Huddersfield boss Michael Duff went into the clash demanding a reaction from his side after describing their FA Cup exit at non-league Tamworth as “nowhere near good enough”.
Crawley threatened in only the fifth minute when Harry Forster burst through the middle and found Will Swan inside the area but he was unable to get a shot away.
Keeper Connal Trueman, signed on a second seven-day emergency loan from Millwall, came to Crawley’s rescue by saving a goal-bound shot from Ben Wiles before recalled striker Hepburn-Murphy put the Red Devils ahead on 42 minutes.
The former Swindon man scored with a well-placed angled shot into the far corner after being put through by Ronan Darcy.
Crawley came close to increasing their lead shortly after the interval when Toby Mullarkey released Panutche Camara and his cross was missed by Swan in the middle of the goal.
Half-time substitute Rhys Healey struck to level on the hour mark, stooping to head in a Wiles corner at the near post.
Darcy set up Max Anderson to restore Crawley’s lead with his first goal for the club from close range on 65 minutes.
But Herbie Kane made it 2-2 three minutes later with a close range shot after Brodie Spencer had chested the ball down.
Huddersfield pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages but Crawley, with only one win in eight league games under Rob Elliot, held out.