The Terriers, promoted via the play-offs last year, edged closer to a return to the promotion mix-up with this victory over nine-man Swindon.
The Robins had two men sent off within a minute in first-half stoppage time as a goalless contest burst into life.
With challenges flying, Swindon midfielder David Duke was booked for a foul on Chris Brandon in the 15th minute.
In stoppage time he then clashed again with Brandon and was sent off for his second bookable offence.
With tempers flaring referee Eddie Evans then had to brandish a second red card when striker Rory Fallon went in high on David Mirfin.
After the break Swindon switched to a 4-3-1 and packed the defence.
Huddersfield surged forward and when Adnan Ahmed hit the post it seemed only a matter of time before they would break the deadlock.
The breakthrough finally came from striker Abbott in the 62nd minute with a brilliant turn and shot which keeper Rhys Evans touched on to the post but could not keep out.
Huddersfield, needing a boost to their goal difference as the play-off battle goes into the last week of the season, then sat back a little too much for the home fans and it was only when as a young Swindon side tired that The Terriers cut loose with three goals in the last 11 minutes.
Brandon kept his cool to cross from the byline for Andy Booth to drill home through a crowded penalty area before Abbott grabbed his 27th goal of the season with a close-range finish.
Five minutes from time club captain Rob Edwards, who only came on a substitute three minutes earlier, smashed home an emotional fourth in his last home appearance for the club.