2 points dropped at the KC Stadium

By Hutchy
February 6 2005

The Tigers have now gone 4 league games without a win after a Leroy Lita equalizer saw Bristol City come away from the KC Stadium with a point.

With captain Ian Ashbee still serving a suspension Stuart Green came in to partner Junior Lewis in mid-field with Andy Hessenthaler relegated to the bench.

Nick Barmby was pulling all the strings and his perfectly timed through ball set Stuart Green clear but he could only hit the woodwork. Barmby also played Ryan France through but Bristol left-back Fortune got back well to make a last ditch tackle. The ex-England man also teed-up Lewis on the edge of the box but he could only fire wide.

Goalkeeper Boaz Myhill was back to his best making two good saves to deny Brooker and Tinnion in the first-half. Leon Cort was dominant again at the back, while wide men Ryan France and Kevin Ellison were both looking lively.

Peter Taylors men took the lead on the hour when Robbie Stockdale, making his home debut, got forward and crossed for Nicky Barmby to send a low volley into the corner of the net. A few minutes later the goalscorer was involved in a clash with the Bristol goalkeeper and unfortunately had to be stretched off.

The equalizer came when a Stockdale mistake sent through Steve Brooker who squared the ball for Leroy Lita to finish. Another sloppy goal to concede which undid a lot of good work from an improved tigers performance.

Junior Lewis had a chance to win the game near the death when a Andy Hessenthaler free-kick found him with a free header, however Bristol keeper Steve Phillips showed good reflexes to deny Hull the victory their play deserved.

The Tigers have not won since Peter Taylor was awarded the manager of the month award for December and next week sees them travel to top-of-the-table Luton, a game which will have a big impact on the League One title race.

Hull City 1 – 1 Bristol City
Barmby (59)         Lita (76)

Att: 17,637

Hull City:(4-4-2) Myhill, Stockdale (Hessenthaler 79), Cort, Delaney, Edge, France, Green, Lewis, Ellison, Wilbraham (Facey 83), Barmby (Allsopp 62).
Subs Not Used: Duke, Price.

Bristol City:(4-4-2) Phillips, Smith, Carey, Ireland, Fortune, Murray, Tinnion, Orr, Brown (Bell 68), Lita, Brooker.
Subs Not Used: Heffernan, Coles, Dinning, Wilkshire.
Booked: Murray, Phillips, Orr.

Referee: E Evans