EARLY PENALTY JOY THEN FULHAM TURN THE SCREW

was not heeded by Town, as a minute later Fulham were level – again the threat coming from Town’s right-hand side as Malone dribbled into the box and squeezed a shot home from a tight angle.

But before Town could draw breath and regroup they found themselves 2-1 down – Hogg bringing down Ayité for a penalty which was expertly dispatched by Tom Cairney.

From there the visitors dominated the first-half proceedings and added a third in the 36th minute. Danny Ward was left wrongfooted after Sessegnon’s deflected shot fell to Stefan Johansen, who drilled it past the Town stopper.

Things then went from bad to worse on the stroke of half-time as Johansen grabbed his second of the game – stealing the ball from Hogg after a poor pass from Christopher Schindler.

The fact two of the most exemplary performers throughout the season were at fault for the goal epitomised how poorly the side had performed in the first half.

With the score at 4-1 at the interval, it was a case of damage limitation for the second 45 minutes, with Izzy Brown and Sean Scannell entering the fray for a run-out after their recent injury lay-offs.

And the introduction of Brown for Billing immediately brought more balance to the Huddersfield Town side, with Mooy dropping deeper to partner Hogg in the middle as Wagner’s side went about restoring some pride after the first-half capitulation.

But it wasn’t to be as the final whistle blew on a defeat that will naturally hurt, but more so due to the manner of it in front of a home crowd who devotedly sang and supported the side throughout.

The only cold comfort for those supporters and indeed Wagner’s side will be that defeats for Leeds United and Reading mean Town are still one win away from securing a playoff finish with three games to play.

That chance comes as soon as tomorrow night down at Molineux against Wolves.