FORMER Saints defender Ken Monkou played his first full game for almost four months yesterday and left Fratton Park clutching the Sky TV Nationwide cham-pagne Man of the Match award, writes Mike Vimpany.

Monkou, 34, whose Dell contract ended after Saints' 2-0 relegation-saving win against Everton back in May, stood out like a Colossus at the heart of the Huddersfield Town defence and hardly put a foot wrong as Pompey were held to a goalless draw.

"Ken was magnificent," exclaimed Terriers' boss Steve Bruce, who hopes to extend Monkou's existing 'short term' Huddersfield contract.

"I spent many a long night persuading him to join Huddersfield and I think you can judge from his performance at Portsmouth what a great player he still is."

Monkou played less than an hour in each of Huddersfield's two previous matches against Scunthorpe United and the 7-1 thrashing of Crystal Palace.

But together with his central defensive partner Chris Lucketti, the ex-Saints man nullified all Pompey's attempts to bounce back from Saturday's 6-0 drub-bing at Barnsley.

He thrived on Pompey's over-reliance in pumping in crosses and was equally dominant on the ground against Rory Allen.

"I wouldn't say I coasted through the game, because it is was not as easy as it may have looked watching on TV.

"But we have a good defensive unit and a lot of quality throughout the side. Huddersfield are a very ambitious club," said Monkou.

It was ironic that two sides, involved in 13 Yorkshire goals on Saturday, should provide goalless fayre for the Sky TV cameras.

But chances were at a premium throughout a game high on work rate and endeavour - but little else.

Pompey, who enjoyed a greater share of first-half possession, laid siege to the Huddersfield goal for 15 minutes immediately after the interval, forcing numerous corners, but Monkou & Co coped capably with everything Alan Ball's side could throw at them.

Huddersfield could have snatched it at the end when the highly effective Clyde Wijnhard, a snip of a £750,000 buy from Leeds United in the summer, bungled a great chance in front of Andy Petterson's goal.

Ben Thornley's right-wing break almost caught Pompey cold - his cross drifted over several defenders before the unmarked Dutchman sent his hurried shot over the Milton End crossbar.

The game had cried out for a goal, but a late winner would have been an unjust reward.

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