Peterborough United returned to Sky Bet League One action with a 2-0 defeat to Huddersfield Town at the Weston Homes Stadium.
Antony Evans and Ben Wiles’ strikes were the difference in PE2 as the Terriers claimed all three points on a first return to league action.
Both teams started the afternoon positively, but the game was devoid from many clear-cut opportunities in the early moments.
Huddersfield looked to build momentum, but Posh stayed focused and carved out an opportunity on 14 minutes when debutant Chris Conn-Clarke looked to find Joel Randall on the penalty area, but the cross escaped the blue shirts and, in the end, was cleared comfortably from the Terriers’ defence.
Down the other end, Josh Koroma looked to outwit Posh with a quick transition, but his effort was well-saved by Jed Steer.
Ricky-Jade Jones came close on 26 minutes when he escaped past Michal Helik, but the end finish fell wide of the post.
On 28 minutes, Conn-Clarke was met with an opportunity after Kwame Poku lofted his delivery to the back post, but his headed finish was saved comfortably by Lee Nicholls.
The visitors took the lead on 36 minutes, Antony Evans’ deflected strike left Steer dumfounded as the ball found the roof of the net.
Ben Wiles then doubled the visitors’ lead on 46 minutes, he made no mistake as his driven strike weaved through a crowd of bodies and into the bottom corner.
Posh looked to respond, but time was averse and Darren Ferguson’s side went into the break with a two-goal deficit.
Poku fashioned an opportunity on 56 minutes when his curled effort was deflected onto the post and out for a corner.
Clear-cut chances were few and far for both sides in the second period, but Posh continued to probe and created an opportunity for Randall to strike from distance, which looked to have beaten Nicholls – but narrowly avoided the far post.
Despite Posh’s best efforts, the visitors saw out the game well and emerged victorious in PE2.
Posh will travel to Oxford on Tuesday night (19:45 kick-off), before returning to league action next Saturday where Ferguson’s side will face a stern test in Shrewsbury Town.
Posh: Steer, Curtis (sub Ajiboye, 59min), Collins (c), Wallin, Conn-Clarke (sub Mothersille, 54min), Poku (sub Hayes, 66min), Randall, Jones, Susoho (sub O’Brien-Brady, 66min), Sparkes, Fernandez. Unused subs: Bilokapic, Crichlow, Odoh.
Huddersfield Town: Nicholls; Lees, Helik, Spencer, Sorensen, Evans (Kane, 77’), Hogg (c) (Kasumu, 82’), Ben Wiles, Mickel Miller (sub Headley, 78’), Healey (sub Harratt, 90+3’), Koroma (sub Ward, 77’) Unused subs: Maxwell, Pearson
Half-Time: Peterborough United 0-2 Huddersfield Town
Full-Time: Peterborough United 0-2 Huddersfield Town