Hull City slipped to five points behind Championship leaders Cardiff City after being held to a goalless draw by fellow promotion hopefuls Leicester City.

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson got a hostile reception from the club he left in acrimonious fashion last year but he masterminded a fine defensive display.

Hull's Jay Simpson came closest to a goal but his shot was cleared off the line by Richie de Laet.

Anthony Knockaert wasted Leicester's best chance, scuffing a shot wide.

French winger Knockaert provided the visitors' main threat throughout and, as well as that miskick from Paul Konchesky's first-half pull-back, he also twice shot wide before the interval.

But the second-placed Tigers, who were hoping to mark the 10th anniversary of moving into the KC Stadium with a victory that would have kept them just three points off the top of the table, edged a tight contest.

The hosts made the brighter start, with Simpson turning a weak side-footed shot wide and Leicester's Konchesky being forced into an awkward headed clearance inside his own six-yard box.

Leicester responded with their best spell of the game. Knockaert had those three good chances and Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic then needed a strong arm to keep out Danny Drinkwater's strike.

But the hosts, inspired by the return of attacking midfielder Sone Aluko, began to get on top.

Abdoulaye Faye sent a headed effort into the side netting and Aluko forced a fine low save from Kasper Schmeichel after cleverly creating space for himself.

Aluko then set up the best chance of the first period when he found Simpson and the striker looked certain to score when he rounded Schmeichel, but De Laet raced back to clear his effort off the line.

The chances dried up in the second half as the match deteriorated in driving rain.

Ben Marshall nearly deceived Jakupovic with a 20-yard strike and the keeper also kept out Paul Gallagher's deflected free-kick.

Hull piled forward late on but Schmeichel twice denied Simpson and Leicester, who remain in fifth place, secured a point despite going a third successive match without scoring.

Hull manager Steve Bruce:

"The big chances - we should be scoring. Anyone who has seen us over the past four or five months will know that's the frustration.

"In big games especially, you can't be expected to create eight or nine chances. Today we've had four or five. Really we've got to take one of them in a big game.

"It's gnawing away at us all. It's not just the goalscoring it's all round we've got to contribute. Look at Abdoulaye. I'm shouting 'goal' as soon as I see him with that big head three yards out coming towards it.

"You think it's in the net. It's all round that the chances have come. I hope it's not going to be our Achilles heel."

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson:

"Today we defended with a lot of spirit and created some good opportunities.

"On another day we could have won it but they could argue the same.

"It was two decent sides trying to play football. It was an interesting game tactically but unfortunately it was 0-0.

"It was (a point gained) in the sense that we have had a lean period of late. I think we would have won that game a month ago."

Lineup, Bookings (2) & Substitutions (6)

Hull City

  • 01 Jakupovic
  • 05 Chester
  • 06 Hobbs
  • 08 Evans (Cairney - 71' )
  • 10 Koren
  • 23 Faye (Proschwitz - 84' )
  • 24 Aluko (Rosenior - 84' )
  • 27 Elmohamady
  • 29 Quinn
  • 11 Simpson
  • 30 Brady

Substitutes

  • 22 Amos
  • 02 Rosenior
  • 15 McShane
  • 14 Cairney
  • 16 Olofinjana
  • 09 Mclean
  • 33 Proschwitz

Leicester City

  • 01 Schmeichel
  • 02 De Laet Booked (Moore - 46' )
  • 03 Konchesky
  • 05 Morgan
  • 06 Whitbread Booked
  • 04 Drinkwater
  • 07 Marshall
  • 10 King (Gallagher - 82' )
  • 16 James
  • 24 Knockaert
  • 35 Nugent (Waghorn - 67' )

Substitutes

  • 13 Logan
  • 22 Moore
  • 11 Dyer
  • 17 Gallagher
  • 14 Waghorn
  • 18 Schlupp
  • 29 Futacs
Ref: Pawson
Att: 20,321

Match Stats

Shots

15 11

On target

11 5

Corners

8 8

Fouls

8 14

Live Text Commentary

90:00 +3:04 Full time

Full Time The game is over, as the referee blows his whistle.

90:00 +1:33

The referee blows for offside against Martyn Waghorn. Free kick taken by Eldin Jakupovic.

90:00 +0:40

Paul Gallagher gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Tom Cairney. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Tom Cairney.

88:36

Centre by Liam Moore.

87:29

The ball is delivered by Stephen Quinn, Jay Simpson takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel.

86:52

The ball is crossed by Ahmed Elmohamady, clearance by Wes Morgan.

86:36

Effort from 12 yards by Martyn Waghorn. Save by Eldin Jakupovic.

85:28

Robbie Brady delivers the ball, blocked by Liam Moore. Inswinging corner taken by Robert Koren, Liam Moore manages to make a clearance.

84:52

Paul Gallagher gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Robbie Brady. Stephen Quinn takes the direct free kick.

83:20

Free kick taken by Tom Cairney.

83:20 Substitution

Substitution Liam Rosenior is brought on as a substitute for Sone Aluko.

83:20 Substitution

Substitution Nick Proschwitz comes on in place of Abdoulaye Faye.

83:20

Handball decision goes against Paul Konchesky.

81:16

Paul Gallagher fires a strike on goal direct from the free kick.

81:16 Substitution

Substitution Paul Gallagher joins the action as a substitute, replacing Andy King.

81:16

Free kick awarded for a foul by James Chester on Ben Marshall.

80:44

Foul by Martyn Waghorn on Jack Hobbs, free kick awarded. Jack Hobbs restarts play with the free kick.

79:37

Jay Simpson takes a shot. Save by Kasper Schmeichel. Robbie Brady produces a left-footed shot from just outside the area that goes harmlessly over the target.

79:20

A cross is delivered by Paul Konchesky, Jack Hobbs makes a clearance.

78:28

The ball is sent over by Sone Aluko, save made by Kasper Schmeichel.

76:01

Foul by Zak Whitbread on Jack Hobbs, free kick awarded. Eldin Jakupovic takes the free kick.

75:30

Inswinging corner taken by Ben Marshall, clearance by Stephen Quinn.

74:08

Anthony Knockaert takes a inswinging corner from the right by-line played to the near post. Corner taken right-footed by Ben Marshall from the left by-line, save by Eldin Jakupovic.

72:44

Ben Marshall takes a shot from 20 yards. Save by Eldin Jakupovic. Corner from the left by-line taken by Ben Marshall, save by Eldin Jakupovic.

72:25

Stephen Quinn sends in a cross, Wes Morgan manages to make a clearance.

71:09

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Martyn Waghorn from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Sone Aluko.

70:54

Robert Koren challenges Andy King unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Anthony Knockaert.

68:58 Substitution

Substitution Tom Cairney replaces Corry Evans.

68:58

Corry Evans challenges Anthony Knockaert unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct effort from the free kick comes in from Ben Marshall.

66:09

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Ben Marshall. Eldin Jakupovic fouled by Zak Whitbread, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Eldin Jakupovic.

66:09 Substitution

Substitution David Nugent leaves the field to be replaced by Martyn Waghorn.

64:10

Direct free kick taken by Ahmed Elmohamady.

64:10 Booking

Booking Zak Whitbread is cautioned.

64:03

Free kick awarded for a foul by Zak Whitbread on Sone Aluko.

62:50

Paul Konchesky delivers the ball.

60:58

Free kick awarded for a foul by James Chester on David Nugent. Danny Drinkwater takes the free kick.

58:37

The ball is sent over by Anthony Knockaert, clearance made by Abdoulaye Faye. Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ben Marshall from the left by-line.

56:41

Corry Evans produces a cross.

55:08

Shot by Sone Aluko. Blocked by Danny Drinkwater. Robbie Brady takes a inswinging corner.

51:47

Ahmed Elmohamady delivers the ball, Zak Whitbread makes a clearance. Inswinging corner taken by Robbie Brady from the right by-line played to the near post. Robbie Brady takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

50:44

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Robbie Brady by Anthony Knockaert. Jack Hobbs restarts play with the free kick.

47:11

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Robbie Brady by Anthony Knockaert. Eldin Jakupovic takes the direct free kick.

45:01

The second half has started.

45:01 Substitution

Substitution Ritchie De Laet goes off and Liam Moore comes on.

45:00 +1:44 Half time

Half Time The ref blows to end the first period.

45:00 +1:01

The ball is crossed by Robbie Brady, Wes Morgan makes a clearance. Robert Koren takes a short corner.

45:00 +0:28

A cross is delivered by Ben Marshall, comfortable save by Eldin Jakupovic.

43:29

Short corner worked by Robert Koren. Ahmed Elmohamady takes a shot. Wes Morgan gets a block in. Shot from 25 yards from James Chester. Blocked by Danny Drinkwater.

42:24

Ben Marshall crosses the ball, save made by Eldin Jakupovic.

37:20

Shot comes in from Robert Koren from the free kick, save made by Kasper Schmeichel. Robert Koren takes a shot. Danny Drinkwater gets a block in. Robert Koren takes a inswinging corner.

37:20 Booking

Booking Ritchie De Laet is shown a yellow card for persistent infringement.

36:59

Robbie Brady fouled by Ritchie De Laet, the ref awards a free kick.

35:46

David Nugent is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Indirect free kick taken by Eldin Jakupovic.

35:23

Jay Simpson takes a shot. Blocked by Wes Morgan.

32:40

Sone Aluko takes a shot. Save made by Kasper Schmeichel. Robbie Brady takes a short corner. Unfair challenge on Wes Morgan by Jack Hobbs results in a free kick. Kasper Schmeichel takes the free kick.

30:01

Jay Simpson takes a shot. Ritchie De Laet manages to make a clearance.

31:00

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ritchie De Laet by Robbie Brady. Kasper Schmeichel takes the free kick.

30:01

Jay Simpson takes a shot. Clearance by Zak Whitbread.

27:49

Robert Koren takes the inswinging corner, Close range header by Abdoulaye Faye misses to the right of the target.

26:39

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Robbie Brady by Anthony Knockaert. Stephen Quinn takes the free kick.

26:09

Effort from 25 yards by Anthony Knockaert. Eldin Jakupovic makes a comfortable save.

25:15

Jay Simpson concedes a free kick for a foul on Zak Whitbread. Zak Whitbread restarts play with the free kick.

24:51

The referee blows for offside against Wes Morgan. Eldin Jakupovic restarts play with the free kick.

24:01

Anthony Knockaert has an effort at goal from 25 yards. Save by Eldin Jakupovic. Corner taken by Anthony Knockaert from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Robbie Brady.

20:00

Shot by Ben Marshall from a long way out goes over the net.

19:21

Robert Koren takes a shot. Kasper Schmeichel makes a save.

18:21

Danny Drinkwater takes a shot. Save by Eldin Jakupovic.

17:11

Paul Konchesky delivers the ball, Effort on goal by Anthony Knockaert from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

16:23

Unfair challenge on Wes Morgan by Sone Aluko results in a free kick. Kasper Schmeichel restarts play with the free kick.

15:39

Anthony Knockaert has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box missing to the wide left of the goal.

12:56

Effort from deep inside the area by Anthony Knockaert misses to the left of the goal.

10:46

Zak Whitbread gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Sone Aluko. Direct free kick taken by Robert Koren.

10:20

The ball is sent over by Ben Marshall.

8:58

Robbie Brady delivers the ball.

7:16

Foul by David Nugent on Jack Hobbs, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Robbie Brady.

6:46

Robbie Brady crosses the ball, clearance made by Paul Konchesky.

4:52

Effort on goal by Jay Simpson from deep inside the penalty area misses to the right of the target.

4:22

Wes Morgan concedes a free kick for a foul on Jay Simpson. Free kick taken by Stephen Quinn.

3:49

Jay Simpson fouled by Ritchie De Laet, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Robbie Brady.

0:00

The game gets underway.

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