Goals
None
Bookings
52 - Sergio Ommel - Foul
66 - Mike Edwards - Foul
67 - David Hillier - Foul
90 - Mark Walters - Foul
Sendings Off
None
Attendance - 9,680
Match Report
The Tigers failed to break down a resolute Bristol Rovers and failed to win at home for only the third time this season, having to settle for a point with a goal-less draw. Rovers' spoiling, time-wasting tactics frustrated many City fans and indeed the referee should have taken some action to speed certain things up, but the Pirates got what they came for.
The best chances of the First Half fell to Rob Matthews and Gary Alexander for us, and Ross Weare for the visitors. Matthews saw a 25-yard free-kick saved and scrambled away by Scott Howie, while Weare headed wide from an Ian Hillier cross. Shortly before the break, Alexander again brought Howie in to action, the keeper parrying his fierce shot well.
Immediately after the break, City came close to scoring again. A Ryan Williams corner found it's way to Matthews at the back post but his shot cannoned off the bar and to safety. Rovers hit back on the hour, with Dwayne Plummer shooting just wide from outside the area.
As the minutes passed, a draw began to seem increasingly likely. However, City nearly snatched all 3 points in the last 10 minutes, coming desperately close to a goal on 3 occasions. Firstly, Theodore Whitmore went on a marvellous run, twisting and turning defenders before shooting from inside the area. His drive was pushed upwards and away by Howie, and straight to the feet of Julian Johnsson. Unfortunately, the Faroe Islands International scuffed his volley and Howie was able to recover to save.
However, only a minute later, David Beresford had an equally good chance to score. Whitmore played a through ball for the winger, and he latched on to it, clear through on goal. As Howie came out, Beresford got to the edge of the area and fired the ball straight towards the bottom corner, only to see the Pirates keeper get his hand in the way and somehow claw it past the post. It was a tremendous save, capping off a good display from the keeper.
So a draw then, and a frustrating one at that. The visitors got what they came for, and like Plymouth and Orient were absoultely overjoyed at the final whistle. It is a complement to our side and home form that teams are so happy with a point from Boothferry Park, but it is also a hinderence. It is up to us to break them down, and happily we have on most occasions this season. However, that is two 0-0 draws at home now; hopefully not many more will be witnessed during the rest of the season.
Man Of The Match - Rob Matthews
Continued his great run of form with a good display on the left, and nearly set up the match winner with his through ball to Beresford late on. Will surely continue to keep his place on this evidence.
Other Reports
Official Hull City Site
BBC Online
Official Bristol Rovers Site
Opinions
Brian Little frustrated but not disappointed with draw (Official Site)
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