Town’s run of five games unbeaten without conceding a goal came to an end as Premier League-bound Hull City left Portman Road with a 2-1 victory. The Tigers were on top in the first half and went ahead from the spot through Robbie Brady after Guirane N’Daw had fouled David Meyler. Town were the better team after the break, sub Anthony Wordsworth grabbing his first goal for the Blues but Robert Koren headed a late winner for the visitors.

Mick McCarthy made two changes from the side which started last Saturday’s 1-0 win at Derby with Michael Chopra replacing the unavailable David McGoldrick up front and N’Daw coming in for Andy Drury in central midfield.

Hull included ex-Blues loanee David Stockdale in goal, while another former Town loan man Liam Rosenior was on the bench, alongside keeper Eldin Jakupovic, who spent time on trial at Playford Road last summer.

The first chance of the game, which was watched by 21,988, Town’s biggest gate of the season, fell to the second-placed visitors when George Boyd, who almost joined the Blues from Peterborough early in the season, flicked on a corner from the left to Jack Hobbs, who shot over when he might well have done better.

Boyd, playing just off main Hull striker Jay Simpson, chipped high and wide in the seventh minute after getting behind the Town defence on the left with the Tigers starting the stronger and having the vast majority of the possession.

The Blues appeared to match the visitors’ three-man backline, with Richard Stearman and Tommy Smith either side of Luke Chambers, at least when attacking with Aaron Cresswell moving back into a more orthodox left-back role when Hull were in possession.

There was a scare for the Blues in the 19th minute when Ahmed Elmohamady, who had been Town’s main tormentor at the KC Stadium earlier in the season, crossed from the right and Richard Stearman chested the ball to Scott Loach, but too far to the keeper’s left, the ex-Watford man doing well to get down to save.

Town began to get more into the game and in the 24th minute Cresswell crossed from the left and Daryl Murphy nodded it down but Chopra scuffed his shot and Hobbs cleared.

On 28 the visitors were awarded a penalty when N’Daw made a needless challenge on Meyler on the right of the Blues’ area, stepping across the former Sunderland man and sending him to ground. Referee Oliver Langford pointed straight to the spot despite protests both from Town players and supporters.

Brady rolled the spotkick to Loach’s right to halt Town’s run of clean sheets at a record-equalling five.

Referee Langford quickly became the subject of most of the chants from the Sir Bobby Robson Stand and showing Chopra a yellow card for a run of the mill mistimed challenge midway inside the Town half — worse earlier fouls had gone unpunished - soon after hardly helped his cause.

Simpson might have made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute after an error by N’Daw but scraped his effort well wide from 12 yards. At the other end, Cresswell hit a freekick into the Hull wall, then saw his second strike deflect wide.

Loach made a superb save at point blank from Meyler’s header on 34, although with the linesman’s flag having already been raised.

Corry Evans joined Chopra in referee Langford’s book in the 38th minute for a wild lunge on Jay Tabb, which left the on-loan Reading man needing lengthy treatment. The ex-Manchester United man was probably fortunate merely to receive a caution.

The former Irish U21 international continued despite his knock and had a chance soon after but couldn’t get any direction on a header in the box. However, he was eventually forced to make way just before half-time, Wordsworth making his first appearance since suffering a back injury in February.

Brady threatened to make it 2-0 with a shot from the edge of the area which Loach did well to block down to his left as the half entered injury time, Boyd heading a subsequent effort through to the Blues keeper.

Just before the break, Hobbs headed over from a corner on the left, prior to referee Langford leaving the field on the receiving end of boos.

While the only goal might have come from the penalty when N’Daw had no need to make a challenge, the visitors had been on top for most of the first half and had had most of the chances. The Blues had got better as the half wore on but with Stockdale yet to be really tested.

After Evans had been lucky to escape a second yellow card after catching N’Daw with an arm, Town got back on terms with the first serious chance of the second half. Luke Chambers crossed from the right and sub Wordsworth headed home his first goal for the Blues at the far post getting ahead of the sleeping James Chester.

The Blues had started the second period well and the home crowd found their voice after the goal. On the hour mark Murphy headed Wordsworth’s freekick from the left over when he will feel he should have hit the target with the substitute having taken all the set pieces since coming on.

On 67 Brady hit Hull’s first shot of the second half across the face of goal but the winger, like the rest of his side, had been less impressive after the break with the Blues allowing them little time to settle on the ball.

Chopra and Murphy exchanged passes just outside the Hull box in the 72nd minute, the Irishman hitting a low shot past Stockdale’s right post.

The Blues continued to look the more threatening team and on 76 Chopra played in Murphy on the left of the area from where he hit a low shot that Stockdale save well down to his left, Abdoulaye Faye clearing the loose ball.

Two minutes later, Chopra was just unable to touch the ball past Stockdale as he chased it down the middle with the keeper advancing. Murphy and Edwards were similarly unable to make anything of subsequent chances with the on-loan Fulham man out of his goal. Moments later, Chopra made way for Frank Nouble to applause.

Hull regained the lead against the run of play in the 83rd minute when Wordsworth failed to clear a corner from the left, allowing Brady to send in a second cross, which an unmarked Robert Koren nodded past Loach from a few yards.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas came on for Murphy for the final three minutes of normal time with the home crowd now more muted.

Town failed to put the Tigers under any significant pressure in the remaining scheduled minutes or in injury time and the referee’s final whistle signalled ecstatic celebrations in the away section with third-placed Watford losing at Peterborough.

The Blues can count themselves unfortunate to have lost the game after a second half in which they were the better side. Hull had been well on top for much of the first and a draw would probably have been a fairer reflection of the game overall.

The result sees the Blues drop to 17th in the table, four points from the relegation zone with four matches to play.

Town: Loach, Stearman, Chambers, Smith, Cresswell, Edwards, Hyam, N'Daw, Tabb (Wordsworth 45), Chopra (Nouble 79), Murphy (Emmanuel-Thomas 87). Unused: Lee-Barrett, Hewitt, Kisnorbo, Drury.

Hull City: Stockdale, Chester, Hobbs, Faye, Evans (Fathi 69), Quinn, Meyler, Elmohamady, Brady, Boyd (Fryatt 98), Simpson (Koren 74). Unused: Jakupovic, Rosenior, Cairney, Proschwitz. Referee: Oliver Langford (West Midlands). Att: 21,988 (Hull: 1,028).

Photo: Action Images

theobald1985 added 21:13 - Apr 13 cant agree with essex tractor. the absolute last thing we need is a huge summer clearout of players they are playing well together and developing as a group which is more important than bringing in individuals who may disrupt squad harmony and the balance of the side. The midfield are playing with a defensive mindset at the mo because that is the way mick wants it. Hyam is only gonna get better and i like tabb martin jet taylor n'daw edwards.i dont think theres alot between them and the players at other teams in the league and given are form at the moment we should stick not twist and gewt behind these lads. Hegansheroes agree that lower league spanish football is technically better but id rather watch 2 teams going for it any day. that is why people choose to watch the prem over la liga

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h32 added 21:14 - Apr 13 Hegansheroes - very fair comment in my opinion.
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h32 added 21:17 - Apr 13 Hegansheroes - very fair comment in my opinion.
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ericclacton added 21:17 - Apr 13 Well said that man h32, we might regret giving that shower to much respect.
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Blue041273 added 21:25 - Apr 13 Firstly, in general, Hull were way better than us. Certainly, first half, we weren't in it. 2nd half we were much better and our equaliser was much deserved. Hull got the break at the end, at a point when they could well have been behind, just like us last week at Derby. Three points to make really: 1. If Hull are truly the 2nd best team in the Championship then they might as well end promotion/relegation now (which incidentally I believe to be the long term objective of the Premiership). They are clearly not good enough at present to play in the Premiership. 2. While we all understand that the referees and linesmen have a difficult job to do it is still galling to witness referring mistakes week after week after week. Given the money sloshing around within the game, is it too much to ask for a better arbitration of the games we watch? 3. To all those expecting champagne football, I have one message: GET REAL! Since MM was appointed we have had but one objective in mind; survival. Maybe the style is not yet for the purists, the acquisition of points is the main thing for us who truly care. Once our place in the Championship is assured we can all start to ream of better days ahead. Until then,we need everybody who truly supports the club to understand that the most important stat at the end of any game is the final score. It didn't go our way today but I have faith that MM's approach will get us te points required to keep us safe.

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masetheace added 21:26 - Apr 13 Unless we change the keeper I can't see another win this season . The back four look far less composed with a keeper who is rooted to his line and never attacks a thing in his own six yard box . The save from Stearmans "chest down " was all of his own making - should have made the ball his own far earlier . Okay we had clean sheets against Leeds and Derby but this was only due to abject finishing by the opposition . Change it now please

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h32 added 21:40 - Apr 13 Same people making comments / excuses about Officials etc; for today's abject performance. Two of the three Officials were not of the required standard today in my opinion - BUT these at best are lame excuses. See it as it is people - WE as in Team, gave away the 3 Points today through an inadequate performance. Accept it in real terms - as it truly is.
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h32 added 21:53 - Apr 13 Good crowd today - poor performance / result. Many will not be tempted to return and pay full price - shame this Club so often 'shoots itself in the foot'.
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richard_4_itfc added 23:02 - Apr 13 Very poor first half for Town players and team today (apart from Loach, Steadman, Chambers and Smith who were rock solid). Why? Where was the fight and determination to get on the ball and play, instead of sitting back and letting Hull play? Town just cannot afford to be out of the game for a whole half of the game especially at home! Thankfully the team came out and played for twenty minutes in the second half before fizzling out again and sadly that proved to be too little to late. Definitely missed McGoldrick today. It is hard to understand why the team were so poor in the first half when they showed they could play much better as they did after the break? Time to man up Town players as better performances and results are needed to get enough points to avoid the drop... COYB!!!!!

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StochesStotasBlewe added 23:22 - Apr 13 h32, both your above comments spot on. Took a potential supporter for his first match today wasn,t impressed, can,t really blame him. Also, as poor as the officials were, our team were worse!!!.
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IamSpartacus added 23:49 - Apr 13 Same, Pinewoodblueboy. I took my son, his friend and my nephew. Only 6, 6 & 13 but was hoping for a bit more atmosphere and perhaps effort. First half was terrible (Chopra particularly abject). Second half much better, Wordsworth a good buy so far & solid defensively with more closing down - we gave Hull way too much room in the first half. I think we need some wide pace, a Magiltonesque CM and another striker, perhaps. I honestly have faith that, with summer purchases, we will be in the play offs next season. MM has been awesome in turning the club round and grinding results after the abysmal management of Jewell.... just hope my son will look back on the day fondly enough to be keen to go again.

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ormey75 added 08:48 - Apr 14 how many people bet on one of our strikers being first goalscorer? this lot of so called strikers couldnt score in a brothel, cant remember the lastime we had a group of attacking players as poor as this, we need 3 - 4 players who will score on a regular basis if we're ever going to get out of this division, poor very poor
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Lord_Mac added 11:16 - Apr 14 The reason we were were poor was because Hull play with 3 at the back and we play 4-4-2. We switched to match their formation and after that we matched them in performance. In some ways, both their goals were against the run of play and were both defensive mistakes (soft penalty and fluffed clearance). A little unlucky not to get a point, but the luck has been with us over the last 3 games, so we cannot really complain. But we have lost one game in 6, so to say we can't win another game with Scott Loach in goal is pessimistic in the extreme. We'll be fine - even though I expect us to lose to Palace as well!! Would be nice to get a point or more n Tuesday, but Sheff Weds (A) and Birmingham (H) are the games to get the maximum 3 points we need to confirm our status. If we are still in the mix come the Burnley game, it's time to get worried!

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runningout added 11:34 - Apr 14 Going to Sheff Wed next saturday.. get the impression after the upcoming win over Palace, the squad will need to be focused and clinical, and show us an ounce of what to expect next season :/
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greentractorboy added 11:50 - Apr 14 there is only one reason we lost the game WORDSWORTH very poor yes he got the goal but looks out off his depth
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wkj added 11:56 - Apr 14 I don't usually get angry or unruly at games but Chopra was absolutely not at the races today; once the team settled and moved the ball around instead of keeping it in the air the team looked really strong an really good except for Chopra; Murphy even looked really dangerous. My only real criticism of the game is Chopra should have been pulled off much sooner as he frankly looked like he didn't really care, and the 4411 didn't really work well. The quality of the second half was really quite good and promising with the exception of his poor positioning and giving the ball away far to easy. I have been very critical of our midfield recently over strikers but the Midfield had it right today. Had we had McGoldrick available or possibly even Nouble on the pitch sooner we could have easily been 2 or 3 goals up. But such is the way that we had little choice but to play Chopra. If he continues playing like that then even the most forgiving and patient of fans will begin to see his time at Portman Road as untenable.

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TimmyH added 12:43 - Apr 14 Partly agree with theobald1985 - I kept thinking to myself first half, is this how Mick want's us to play tactically with the midfield playing deep and letting Hull dictate the play and be happy for a draw? Although can't disagree with essextractor, there does need to be some form of a clear out in midfield and attack as I'm just not seeing enough quality in these areas. Re: Chopra - yesterday he tried hard to get some link up playing but his passing and quality really is not there anymore, he'll be lucky still to be here next season. Murphy was a complete non-entity first half but better the second.

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jas0999 added 15:40 - Apr 14 h32 - good point about the crowd. Although I think MM has done an excellent job for us (certainly compared to PJ - I'm sure you agree?), we were poor first half yesterday. That type of performance will not encourage fans who paid ten pounds to return to pay thirty-three. However, MM was brought in with one aim - to keep us up. I personally have more confidence that with the right additions (we need a number), we can push on next season. P.s. Always read your comments with interest, as you post win, lose or draw. Sadly same can not be said about some - who only post after a loss.

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theobald1985 added 17:03 - Apr 14 given your last comment greentractorboy it seems you are out of your depth commenting on football matters.
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h32 added 21:28 - Apr 14 jason0999 - sound post - don't disagree with you. I always post as I see it - blue blood in my veins maybe - but I don't wear 'blue tinted specs' like some sad cases. Life (and football) should all be about REALITY. 'Cloud cuckoo land' - is always a sad option for some, as we both know.
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