Nottingham Forest vs Huddersfield Town. Sky Bet Championship.
The City GroundAttendance19,984.
Nottingham Forest 0-2 Huddersfield: Terriers end Forest's unbeaten run
Saturday 13 February 2016 18:18, UK
Huddersfield brought Nottingham Forest's unbeaten run to a juddering halt as a stunning goal from Phillip Billing rounded off a 2-0 win at the City Ground on Saturday afternoon.
Dougie Freedman's side had not lost in 13 previous games in the Sky Bet Championship - a run built on the back of their steely defensive resolve. But they found themselves on the back foot when skipper Matt Mills' own goal gave the visitors a 14th-minute lead.
And their first loss since November was sealed when 19-year-old Billing netted his first professional goal in spectacular fashion with a long-range 84th-minute strike as Huddersfield continued their steady improvement under David Wagner.
Forest had not conceded a goal in four previous league outings and it was particularly cruel that the run was ended by an integral member of the back four that had previously been so resolute.
Tommy Smith drove a low ball across the face of the Forest goal and Mills, looking to clear the danger, succeeded only in prodding the ball beyond goalkeeper Dorus de Vries.
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Prior to that, Forest's best chance had come when Ben Osborn had intelligently picked out Jamie Ward in the box, but he saw his shot charged down.
They responded to the Huddersfield goal with a dipping, swerving volley from the edge of the box from Nelson Oliveira, which missed the target by no more than a foot.
Robert Tesche went close with a header and Oliveira bent a lovely effort just wide of the upright from 18 yards.
But Huddersfield offered a reminder of their threat as Karim Matmour stung De Vries' palms with a powerful shot.
Forest made a double change in just the 57th minute as they looked to find a way back into the game, with Oliver Burke and Jorge Grant introduced.
Grant was involved in the build-up as Oliveira went close yet again, this time with a thunderous low drive that Town goalkeeper Jed Steer somehow deflected around the post when it seemed destined for the net.
Steer then showed a fine turn of pace off his line to collect bravely at the feet of Eric Lichaj when it seemed the Forest full-back might just win the race to collect Vaughan's incisive pass.
Forest wanted a penalty when Osborn's crisp shot was blocked by Mark Hudson but referee Darren Deadman was unmoved.
And Huddersfield made certain of the three points when midfielder Billing conjured up a contender for the Terriers' goal of the season with a simply stunning strike, sent arrowing into the top corner from 30 yards six minutes from time.