At a time when some of the Premier League’s biggest names are dotted across the world, with Arsenal and Newcastle opting for warm-weather training camps in the Middle East while other players, often towing obscenely big graphite suitcases, have escaped for exotic destinations such as the Bahamas and the Maldives, the English Football League rolls on.
Substitute Jacob Brown (pictured, centre) struck a late equaliser to earn Stoke a 1-1 draw at fellow play-off hopefuls Huddersfield after Josh Koroma had fired the hosts ahead in the first half.
Koroma ended a 19-game run without a Championship goal in the 27th minute when his deflected shot looped over Stoke keeper Jack Bonham. The forward was arguably lucky to still be on the pitch following a high tackle on Taylor Harwood-Bellis moments earlier. Danny Ward and Lewis O'Brien both went close as the hosts had the better of the first half.
Carlos Corberan's sixth-placed side failed to build on their advantage in a surprisingly lacklustre second period. Stoke, who saw Tyreese Campbell's penalty appeal waved away in the first half, grew into the game and levelled with 12 minutes to go.
Jaden Philogene-Bidace pounced on Ollie Turton's poor clearance but his shot struck the post. Campbell's rebound was blocked but Brown was on hand to fire into the top corner from the edge of the area. The draw leaves Michael O'Neill's side in 10th, six points behind the Terriers.
"The key decisions in the game all went against us," said O'Neill after the match. "It was clearly a red card for Koroma ... it was also a clear penalty on Tyrese. The players' attitude to being hard done by was terrific. We deserved at least a point if not more."
