Chris Powell, the Huddersfield Town manager, admitted that leaving leading goalscorer Nahki Wells on the bench for Wednesday night’s Sky Bet Championship clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers was a “big call” to make.

Despite bagging a brace in Huddersfield’s 2-1 home win against Millwall four days earlier to extend his season tally to six in all competitions, Wells was an unused substitute against high-flying Wolves as Powell tweaked his squad for the away match.

It was a gamble that ultimately paid dividends, as goals from Harry Bunn, Sean Scannell and Conor Coady allowed Huddersfield to become the first side to win at Molineux in 2014 — a feat that earned the West Yorkshire club the LG Performance of the Week Award.

“It was a big call because obviously young Nahki scored two goals to earn us the win on Saturday, but I looked at Wolves on Sunday [in their 3-3 draw away to Reading] and felt this was the right way for us to go,” Powell said. “It’s a big call, obviously, and managers live and die by them, but it’s how we get results and sitting here now it was the right call.

“Nahki is a fantastic player and he’ll be scoring goals for us, no doubt, but there are times that I will change the shape. That’s what I’m paid to do and if I get it right more often than not, it goes for you.”

The former England defender said his players executed the game plan perfectly against Wolves, who would have moved into first place in the Championship with a win.

“Every player did their part,” Powell added. “I thought our back five and midfielders dovetailed really well and I’m pleased for the two wide players, who both scored.”

Wells and his Huddersfield team-mates will look to continue their winning ways tomorrow when they travel to Ewood Park to face Blackburn Rovers, who are seven places and three points ahead of them in the league.