PAYNE’S JOY FOR TOWN

DAVID WAGNER admitted his belated first cup win in English football felt very special.

Former USA boss Wagner, in charge at Town for 13 months, had failed to win any of his first three cup games but a victory against League One strugglers Vale was never in doubt.

A double from Jack Payne and goals from Kasey Palmer and Harry Bunn ensured Town’s first win in any cup competition since August 2014.

German-American Wagner said: “It certainly feels special. It was my first cup win and it was a long time coming.

“I think we did everything that could be expected in a cup match at home for a team in the Championship against one from League One.

“We controlled the game and speeded it up when we needed to and were patient and got the goals.”

Wagner praised striker Payne, signed from Southend last summer.

“We know what a great talent he is. Today he has not just hit the target but hit the net. He has great skills and is very dangerous in the final third.”

Payne put Huddersfield ahead in the 28th minute when he fired in off the post.

Town dominated but Vale held out until the 73rd minute when Palmer scored with a deflected effort.

Bunn added a third in the 80th minute before Payne made it 4-0 four minutes later.

To add to Vale’s woes, keeper Jak Alnwick smashed his face on the post after pulling off a great first-half save from Mark Hudson. Then, on the hour he limped off with an ankle injury.

Vale caretaker boss Michael Brown said: “Jak has fractured his cheekbone and has an ankle injury and will need X-rays on both. It’s a big blow and these are testing times for us.”

On the result, Brown said: “I am disappointed. The game plan was for us to be still in it with 65-70 minutes gone but the deflection meant game-over.” Possession Shots On Target Shots Off Target Blocked Shots Corners Fouls Conceded Offsides Yellow Cards Red Cards 63% 37% 6 2 9 2 4 1 7 0 14 11 6 1 0 0 0 0