The Tranmere keeper was called upon again from the corner to palm a header into the air but from the scramble which ensued striker Novak, a man playing in the Blue Square North last season, nodded home from less than six yards despite the best efforts of the keeper and defender on the line.

Rovers were reeling, and in the wintry chill were defending with none of the presence which has dragged them out of the League One drop zone.

But at the other end, Parry’s men were not short of chances and Huddersfield, a slick group going forward, showed further signs of uncertainty at the back.

Opportunities for Craig Curran and Goodison presented themselves as Rovers steadied the ship, yet both chances failed to pose Alex Smithies too many concerns.

Rhodes nearly doubled the visitors’ lead just before the break, but after slaloming past Goodison, his shot was parried with comfort by Daniels.

Tranmere’s resurgence almost came to ah ead a minute into the second period when Sordell cut inside from the left and unleashed a vicious drive at Smithies’ goal but the Town keeper saved well low down.

It would prove a pivotal save as from the clearance, Huddersfield struck in clinical fashion to double their lead when Novak latched onto a flick on a fired sweetly past Daniels from the angle on the right.

A flat-footed Rovers’ backline was punished by Huddersfield’s potent attack, one which had provided them with 56 league goals ahead of the trip to Merseyside.

Tranmere dominated possession for the remainder of the second period but met a much more stubborn Town defence to the one which had allowed Rovers room to play in the first half.

But as Parry’s men persevered with the hunt for a way back into the contest, Huddersfield almost punished them on the break but Daniels twice thwarted Novak as he went in search of his hat-trick.