Jerry Yates’ second-half winner helped the Town banish the disappointment of Saturday’s defeat at Barnsley with victory over Huddersfield at Kenilworth Road.

Jack Wilshere’s five changes from Saturday’s heavy defeat to Barnsley included a first league start for Hakeem Odoffin since his return from injury in late October.

The Town were well on top in the opening minutes. George Saville’s corner towards the back post was hit goalwards on the volley by Yates, who forced a strong save from Owen Goodman at his near post.

Kal Naismith played a sumptuous over the top of Huddersfield’s defence for Cohen Bramall to run onto. The full-back collected the ball and played it off a Terriers defender for a Town corner. The following corner saw Naismith’s effort closed down instantly, resulting in a fourth corner for Luton just five minutes into the match.

After 15 minutes played,the Town came agonisingly close to the opener when Bramall’s deep delivery was knocked narrowly wide of the post by the shoulder of Ruben Roosken.

It was Bramall again causing all sorts of problems to the Terriers defence, yet another great delivery, this time into the centre of the area, was hooked clear by Marcus Harness.

However, just after the half-hour mark, Jake Richards fired the Hatters into the lead. Ben Wiles’ headed clearance was a tame one, and on the volley, Richards launched the ball goalwards and via a deflection, put the Town in front.

Wiles was then close to bringing Huddersfield level just shy of half-time, his effort was expertly blocked by Nigel Lonwijk who cleverly positioned himself behind Josh Keeley.

After the break Richards set off down the left and played the ball into Lamine Fanne, who steadied himself and let go from distance, but his effort was kit high into the Kenilworth Road end as the Town looked for a second goal.

But the Terriers started the second-half the brighter side and on 64 minutes the visitors were level. Leo Casledine’s produced an unstoppable effort from a free-kick from 20 yards, high into the top left corner and out of Keeley’s reach.

However, the Town showed great character to compose themselves and were back in front seven minutes later. Fanne’ attempt from just inside the area was parried back to the midfielder by Goodman and he played the ball across the face of the goal for Yates to tap into an empty net for his second league goal of the season.

Back in front the Hatters went in search of a killer third. Substitute Jacob Brown led the Town on a late charge down the right but his ball into the area was smothered by Goodman with while the visiting keeper almost prevented Fanne with a smart stop.

There were a few nervous moments when eight additional minutes were shown but the Town dug in and kept out the Terriers to give Wilshere his first home league win in charge – a result that lifts the Town up to seventh in the League One table.

Town: Keeley, Odoffin, Lonwijk (Andersen 74), Mengi, Naismith, Bramall, Walsh, Saville, Fanne, Richards (Brown 57), Yates (Morris 83).

Subs not used: Shea, Makosso, Kodua, Nelson.

Attendance: 9,971, including 589 shouting for Huddersfield.

Report by Owen Williams