The Tigers dropped more points in their quest for a play-off place
Hull City’s Lewie Coyle reacts during the Sky Bet Championship match at the MKM Stadium(Image: PA)
Hull City were held to another frustrating home draw by Birmingham City as they made it four games without a win for the first time this season.
Despite a nervy start, City got their noses in front when Joe Gelhardt latched onto a loose ball inside the box to fire across James Beadle and into the net, albeit via a deflection.
That lead was not built on and in the second half, the hosts were largely second best, and it was little surprise when the Blues pulled level with just under 15 minutes to go, when
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Here’s how Tigers reporter Barry Cooper rated the players at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon….
Ivor Pandur: Alert inside the opening minute, and saved a tame effort from Jay Stansfield. Two smart bits of work midway through the second to ease some pressure. No chance with the equaliser. 6/10
Paddy McNair: Back in the side at left-back and did a steady job against the lively Vicente. Did get a first half booking. Stuck at his task well before coming off. 6/10
Semi Ajayi: Headed over in the first period, and at the other end, dealt well with a flurry of balls into the box. Booked in the second half after a clash with Jay Stansfield. Should have won it in stoppage time. 6/10
John Egan: Like Egan, had plenty of work to get done in the first period and did it well. Solid in the second. 6/10
Lewie Coyle: Battled hard up and down the right side. Will feel he could have done better with a cross in early on when he blazed over. Stuck at it well. 6/10
Amir Hadziahmetovic: Got into the first half as it wore on after struggling early on. A fairly quiet afternoon. 6/10
Matt Crooks: Dropped into midfield with the absence of John Lundstram and actually won his side a couple of free-kicks. Important block on Vicente late in the first period. 6/10
Mo Belloumi: Early chance down the right, but couldn’t find the pass for Gelhardt. Had City’s first shot, forcing a good save from James Beadle. Always looked a real threat. 7/10
Joe Gelhardt: Returned to the starting XI and barely touched the ball for 20 minutes before firing in a much-needed opener just to calm the nerves. Lovely turn in the second half, but still felt like he was on the periphery of the contest. 6/10
Liam Millar: Driving run created the moment for Gelhardt to get his shot away and score the opener. Couldn’t really get into the game in the second half. 6/10
Oli McBurnie: Scrapped like the warrior he is. Got hit on the head, and the referee waved him back to his feet, which probably summed up how much change he got. Deflected free-kick just wide in injury time via a deflection. 6.5/10
Subs:
Lewis Koumas (for Gelhardt 75): Didn’t really get a look in against the club he spent the first half of the season at. 5/10
Kieran Dowell (for Millar 75): Booked for a late foul on Klarer. Nothing much else to report. 5/10
Yu Hirakawa (for Belloumi 82): Sidelined since the defeat to QPR in March, a span of 11 games. Was good to get him on, and won his side a free-kick late on. 6/10
Ryan Giles (for McNair 82): Another welcome boost for City to have the left-back after a 10-game absence. 5/10
Kyle Joseph (for Amir 86): Couldn’t force the issue, with balls into the box in the final few months. 5/10
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