Struggling Town fell to yet another defeat as their first trip to Hull City's KC Stadium brought a 2-0 loss. Both Tigers goals came in the second half from Nick Barmby and Craig Fagan.

The Blues were without keeper Lewis Price who failed a fitness test due to his groin injury. Shane Supple came into the side in his place, while skipper Jim Magilton returned to the midfield for Owen Garvan. Darren Currie made a rare away start in an attacking role alongside Nicky Forster.

Hull's undersoil heating ensured that the game took place despite the snow, although around a quarter of the pitch was covered by an inconsistent and bumpy-looking icy layer.

The early chances went to the home side, Paynter's header flying straight to Supple, then a mix-up between a number of defenders almost gifed Barmby a chance inside the six-yard box, Richard Naylor clearing just in time.

Town's first serious opportunity came on 10 when Hull keeper Boaz Myhill failed to catch Darren Currie's ball from the left and Jimmy Juan played the ball back across goal, a defender getting in ahead of Nicky Forster.

On 14, as the falling snow got heavier, former Town trialist Ryan France got his name in the referee's book for a late tackle on Ian Westlake.

Paynter shot over from 25 yards in the 21st minute after the Town defence had stood off him, then Jason Price's mis-hit shot was deflected to Supple by Paynter.

Once again Town were enjoying long spells of possession without making it count, while the opposition looked far more dangerous at the other end. One of the Blues' more incisive moves involving Jimmy Juan and Sito on the right ended with Gavin Williams shooting against Darren Currie.

Soon after, Richard Naylor and Shane Supple collided as they went for the same high ball, almost handing Craig Fagan a golden opportunity, however, the former Colchester man failed to take advantage.

Town received another injury blow in the 27th minute with Nicky Forster departing with a knee injury. The former Reading man is considered a doubt for Saturday's home game with Luton. Danny Haynes took over in attack.

Fagan hit a low effort straight at Supple, then Haynes put a Westlake cross wide. Supple was in action again not long after, saving Fagan's header from Price's right wing cross.

Naylor and Supple again tangled in the 43rd minute as they both tried to deal with a cross from deep on the right, Naylor eventually lifting the ball over his own cross bar from a matter of feet out.

Just before the break, Leon Cort seized on a poor Gavin Williams clearance but shot too close to Supple.

The half had been typical of Town's recent performances; lots of possession but little in the way of chances to show for it. At the other end, a number of misunderstandings between players could have handed the home side the lead.

Three minutes into the second period, Ian Westlake went close with a 20-yard shot which flew inches past Myhill's post. A minute later Jimmy Juan went wide from a Fabian Wilnis cross.

At the other end, Paynter shot wide from the edge of the box after good work from Craig Fagan. Soon after the Tigers went in front, the impressive Price crossed to Fagan who headed down to Barmby, the former England man beating Supple from just inside the area.

Gavin Williams immediately went looking for an equaliser and went close to bursting through the Hull defence. The action moved from end to end with Paynter forcing a save from Supple with a header, then Currie missing a good chance for Town, shooting on the turn from close in but sending the ball well over the bar.

On 66 Matt Richards replaced Ian Westlake, Richard Naylor moving up front, Currie to left midfield, Fabian Wilnis to centre-half and Matt Richards to left-back. Richards had an immediate impact, receiving a pass from Currie and sending a low ball across the Hull six-yard box but there was no Town man there to make the final touch.

The Tigers almost added to their lead in the 69th minute when Fagan broke away beyond Wilnis but looped his attempted chip into Supple's hands.

But the second goal was only a minute more in coming. Price was left in acres of space down the right and sent in a cross which Fagan netted at the far post. Town had been caught on the break as they went looking for an equaliser.

Jimmy Juan hit a freekick into the wall and over the bar, then a promising Williams run ended with a weak shot to Myhill. For the home side, Fagan's low shot forced Supple to push the ball wide for a corner. The set piece almost led to a third goal, Sito heading away Paynter's effort.

Owen Garvan replaced Jim Magilton with nine minutes remaining, just prior to Currie shooting wide from 20 yards.

Williams, who became more and more influential as the game wore on, should have scored in the 84th minute, finding Naylor inside the area, the striker-turned-defender-turned-striker repaying the compliment but Williams shooting over when he should have scored. In injury time Naylor's shot on the turn failed to trouble Myhill.

More of the same from Town; a lot of possession but another opposition keeper not tested by a serious shot on goal. Confidence, on and off the pitch, unsurprisingly seems fragile as the Blues drop closer and closer towards the relegation zone.

Town: Supple, Sito, Wilnis, Naylor, De Vos, Magilton (Garvan 81), Williams, Westlake (Richards 66), Juan, Currie, Forster (Haynes 27). Unused: Price, McDonald. Att: 20,124.

Photo: Action Images

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