Kristian O'Leary and Izzy Iriekpen saw red as Swansea City came back to earth with a bang at Huddersfield Town this afternoon. Despite a battling performance, Kenny Jackett's men could not argue with a defeat which already looked probable by the time O'Leary walked for elbowing midway through the second half.They were 2-1 down at that stage - Andy Booth and Pawel Abbott scoring either side of a Lee Trundle penalty in the first 45. And any hopes of a comeback were killed off when Danny Schofield saw a shot deflected home late on. When Iriekpen was dismissed in injury-time for an off-the-ball clash with Michael Collins, Swansea's spectacular start to the season was well and truly over. Last time Swansea journeyed to the impressive Galpharm Stadium, it was known as the McAlpine and Alan Curtis was the visitors' caretaker manager. A side beleaguered by the surprise departure of director of football Brian Flynn were mauled by the Terriers that April day in 2004. Jackett took the reins just over a week later, and the side he picked this afternoon featured three players - Roberto Martinez, Alan Tate and Kristian O'Leary - who started the 3-0 drubbing 17 months ago. It was the same XI which began on Tuesday night when Swansea followed up their opening-day win over Tranmere with success at Colchester United. But the trip to Huddersfield promised a sterner examination, with Peter Jackson's team being widely tipped to have a big say in the League One promotion race this season. A near full-strength home line-up featured just one change from their midweek victory over Bristol City on this ground, with Andy Holdsworth in at right-back for the injured David Mirfin. Huddersfield have not lost on their own patch since Wrexham came to town last November, and right from the start they were showing why. Danny Schofield, scorer of two goals on Swansea's last trip to West Yorkshire, was soon rampaging down the left flank to win a third-minute corner. From his delivery Jon Worthington sent the ball into the danger area and Nathan Clarke's goalbound stab was shovelled off the line by Adrian Forbes. It was an early warning for Jackett's men. They gradually began to settle into the contest, though, and had a sight of goal themselves when Lee Trundle's persistence won them a corner 11 minutes in. Marc Goodfellow's arcing flag-kick found Forbes in space on the far post but, stretching, the scorer of Swansea's Layer Road opener could not repeat the trick. If that was an awkward chance, Swansea should have been in front five minutes later. A neat routine saw Trundle tee up Goodfellow from a free-kick 25 yards of goal. When his low drive was parried by home keeper Paul Rachubka, Izzy Iriekpen was quickest to react. But with the goal at his mercy, the centre-back saw his point-blank shot diverted wide by the recovering Rachubka. Their chance gone, Swansea were grateful not to fall behind midway through the first period when Pawel Abbott nodded Danny Adams's cross into the path of Andy Booth. The veteran former Sheffield Wednesday frontman was denied by a stunning reaction save from Willy Gueret, but there was no such let-off for Swansea moments later. This time Schofield tried a shot from the right and, when Gueret could only parry weakly, Booth headed into the empty net. In an entertaining contest, Swansea were not behind for long. A fine O'Leary pass sent Tate in on the right flank and the ex-Manchester United youngster intelligently pulled back to Trundle. Swansea's ace marksman skipped round a couple of tackles before tumbling under Clarke's challenge. Referee Matt Messias pointed to the spot and Trundle, showing no fear following his penalty miss seven days ago, duly deposited the ball in the bottom right corner of the net. Welsh celebrations were dampened a little when Forbes, suffering after a typical no-regard-for-personal-safety challenge on Danny Adams, limped off to be replaced by Leon Britton. They were officially over four minutes before the turnaround when Iriekpen's under-strength clearance header fell at the feet of Abbott and the former Preston striker blasted his third goal inside a week. Huddersfield's third almost came in stoppage time, Martinez scrambling desperately on the line to deny Clarke. And there was still time for some handbags which saw Trundle, Bayo Akinfenwa and Adams yellowed just before the whistle. Half-time: Huddersfield 2 Swansea City 1 Ijah Anderson arrived in place of Goodfellow for a second period which had a lot to live up to. The rapid tempo of the opening 45 showed no sign of slowing, with Akinfenwa scuffing the first sighter past the post after his strength had made the half-chance. Home boss Jackson was unimpressed, doing his impression of a wind turbine in the technical area as Swansea began with most of the possession. Another Schofield foray down the left, which ended with a scrambling save from Gueret, cheered him up a bit. Jackson's arms were flailing again when another bustling run from Akinfenwa had Rachubka worried, but a red card for O'Leary 23 minutes from the end definitely lightened the mood. O'Leary looked a little unfortunate to walk after going up for a header with Worthington, but the big central midfielder did have an elbow raised. With O'Leary departed, Swansea were left with a lightweight, three-man midfield to battle a Huddersfield outfit known for their physical prowess. A difficult task had just become even harder. Abbot almost made the points safe soon after the dismissal with a neat chip which lopped onto the top of the net. Trundle was just off target at the other end with Swansea's first real opportunity of the second half, a curled left-foot effort from an awkward angle arcing around the far post. Around 500 travelling fans saw their hopes of a revival dashed moments later, though, when the lively Schofield tried a shot from 25 yards. Gueret probably would have saved, but an apparent deflection off Kevin Austin left the French keeper on his backside and Swansea staring down the barrel. He should have been fishing the ball out of his net for a fourth time seven minutes from time when substitute Gary Taylor-Fletcher failed to apply the finish to a sweet move. Chris Brandon wasted another golden chance before the close, but 4-1 would have been harsh on Swansea.

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