After last week's heavy defeat at AFC Bournemouth, the last thing that Gary Johnson would have wanted was a 2-0 deficit to a side pushing for promotion, but the Peterborough United boss learned his side have plenty of character as Aaron Mclean inspired a superb 4-2 victory.

Huddersfield striker Jordan Rhodes headed wide of the target on three minutes after a superb cross from debutant Graham Carey, who is on-loan from Glasgow Celtic. At the other end, an inswinging free-kick from captain Grant McCann was headed behind for a corner by Peter Clarke and from that set-piece, Posh forced another corner which Aaron Mclean headed over the bar.

The open nature of the game continued with Aaron Davies denied by a fine save by Alex Smithies after excellent work from Craig Mackail-Smith. On 22 minutes, Carey saw a left-foot free-kick deflect behind for a corner kick. From that set-piece, Huddersfield opened the scoring as a chipped set-piece was powered past Lewis by striker Jordan RHODES.

Carey tried his luck from fully 35-yards on 28 minutes and he was booked moments later for a nasty foul on Davies. Posh had the ball in the back of the net on 29 minutes as Bennett guided a McCann free-kick past Smithies, but the offside flag curtailed the celebrations.

Superb work from Craig Mackail-Smith created a shooting opportunity for Davies who had made a good run to his right, but Arfield made a fine block to deny the former Yeovil Town front man. It was 2-0 to the visitors on 33 minutes as CAREY curled a fantastic left-foot free-kick over the wall and into the back of the net via the inside of the post. The free-kick was conceded by James Wesolowski on the edge of the area.

Bennett headed a McCann set-piece wide of the target and set-pieces were looking the best route into the game for Posh, but with two goals conceded to that method, there was still work to be done on the training field as Gary Johnson's new side continued to learn more about each other.

On 42 minutes, Boyd saw a deflected effort go wide of the target after good hold-up play from Mclean. In the first minute of stoppage time, Posh reduced the arrears and it was a horror show for Smithies who let a weak effort from BOYD sneak into the back of the net.

Half-time: Posh 1-2 Huddersfield Town

Carey escaped a second caution moments after the re-start after lunging at Little and in truth the official probably should have produced another yellow leading to a dismissal. There was punishment from McCann's inswinging free-kick though, Aaron MCLEAN hooking the ball past Smithies expertly from six-yards.

Moments later and Posh were in front as a great ball from Mclean sent Craig MACKAIL-SMITH through on goal and as the fans cried for a foul on the striker, the ball hit McCoombe and then the hard-working front man and the ball trickled over the line to make it 3-2.

Another impressive McCann delivery was well cleared by Clarke under pressure from Mclean before Bennett volleyed the rebound high over the crossbar from 20-yards before a Davies shot hit Arfield. James Wesolowski fired inches over the top after an impressive burst from midfield before Huddersfield changed things around, replacing the cautioned Carey with attacking player Gary Roberts.

Substitute Lee Novak should have scored with his first touch, but he guided the ball wide of the target following a long Peltier throw-in. A long free-kick from Lewis was inexplicably missed by Peter Clarke on 66 minutes and MCLEAN took full advantage, taking a touch and firing low past Smithies.

Wesolowski and Little were both cautioned by referee Iain Williamson as the tempo continued to be unbelievably quick. Joe Garner fired over after a good cross from Roberts as Posh left three on three at the back.

Arfield should have reduced the arrears on 79 minutes after wonderful build-up play from the visitors. Langmead then headed a McCoombe effort over the crossbar as the pressure began to intensify with Novak also heading wide. Charlie Lee replaced the superb Wesolowski on 84 minutes with Mclean also departing to a standing ovation.

A clever cross from Davies was headed back across goal from Mackail-Smith only for Clarke to deny substitute Hibbert. Joe Lewis denied Novak at the other end deep in stoppage time as Huddersfield threatened a consolation goal . Roberts nearly reduced the arrears with a fine individual goal, but his effort struck the post.before the referee blew the final whistle to huge cheers from the home faithful.

Final Score: Posh 4-2 Huddersfield Town

Posh: Lewis, Little, Langmead, Wesolowski (sub Lee 84min), Mclean (sub Hibbert 81min), Boyd, Mackail-Smith, McCann, Bennett, Davies, Nana (sub Rowe 46min). Unused subs:  Piergianni, Mendez-Laing, Collis, Tomlin.

Huddersfield: Smithies, Peltier, Gudjonsson, Clarke, Garner, Pilkington (sub Croft 69min), Johnson, Arfield, Rhodes (sub Novak 65min), McCombe, Carey (sub Roberts 61min). Unused subs: Kay, Robinson, Bennett, Ridhalgh.

Attendance: 6,647