Hull City 0 Scunthorpe 1: O'Connor grabs derby winner

At the time, the score was still goalless in Hull City's derby clash with Scunthorpe United but the visitors were firmly in control and had just struck the woodwork

for a second time in three minutes.

Another desperately disappointing performance from the Tigers had left the supporters hugely frustrated, hence the urging of manager Nigel Pearson to take decisive action.

He did his best, making three quick-fire substitutions that did, at least, spark the Tigers into life as, first, Richard Garcia went close to breaking the deadlock just eight minutes after coming off the bench.

Then, one of Hull's other substitutes, Nick Barmby, created a gilt-edged opportunity for James Harper that, somehow, the summer signing from Reading spurned with a lame shot straight at the visiting Iron goalkeeper Joe Murphy.

Ultimately, however, the afternoon was to end badly for City as Michael O'Connor rounded off a sweeping Iron move to seal a deserved win with just 60 seconds remaining.

It meant another miserable Saturday evening for Tigers fans, whose side have now lost seven of their 15 Championship outings since being relegated from the Premier League last season.

Pearson, for his part, admits City have reached a crossroads not only in terms of how this season pans out but also the club's longer-term development.

And the Hull manager believes a successful resolution to the on-going attempts by local millionaires Assem and Ehab Allam to buy a controlling stake off current owner Russell Bartlett is now paramount.

Pearson said: "We are a third of the way through the season and it has been very difficult so far.

"Whatever happens in terms of the short-term future of the club – whether that is my position or the position of who runs the club – it needs resolving.

"In the short-term, we are at the wrong end of the table and everyone is upset about it.

"But the next couple of months will be key in terms of where the club moves in the next few years because it has to be dealt with now.

"You can have a short-term fix. If you want that, then fine. But that may not be in the best interests of the club long-term.

"The sooner things are resolved the better.

"We have issues that we need to rectify internally and if that is done sooner, that is obviously better for us.

"It will happen when the parties involved decide it is the right thing to do.

"Until then, my job and the job of the players and the staff is to continue to work hard to try and rectify this with the tools that we have."

Pearson, who admits speculation over his own future is understandable after such a poor start, believes Hull's display against Scunthorpe underlined the need for change in personnel.

However, when asked if resources were available to bring in new faces, he replied: "No, not at the moment.

"It has been like that for quite a while.

"I am not looking for excuses, that is just how it is."

On City's display against Scunthorpe, Pearson added: "Whether we like it or not, it is the reality that we are not good enough.

"I would like to change things but until the club resolves its situation it will be very difficult to change.

"If you can't change the mentality of the players then you have to change the players and that is not something we have been able to do."

After an opening 45 minutes during which Mark Cullen dragging a shot wide had been the most noteworthy incident, the game burst into life in the second half.

Scunthorpe were the first to reveal genuine attacking intent, hitting the woodwork on 57 minutes through Freddie Sears.

Martyn Woolford then followed suit by crashing a fierce drive against a post just a couple of minutes later before Sam Togwell went close with a looping header that the back-pedalling Matt Duke touched over.

The City goalkeeper also denied Jonathan Forte with an impressive save, while Niall Canavan somehow headed wide after being found unmarked by O'Connor's corner.

Hull, once Pearson's substitutions had been made, finally started to apply some pressure of their own and really should have scored through either Garcia or Harper.

Despite that, there was little doubt justice had been served when O'Connor rounded off a sweeping attacking move in the 89th minute to claim all three points for the Iron.

The defeats meant the Tigers are only outside the bottom three on goal difference and Pearson, when asked if his side were in danger of becoming embroiled in a relegation battle, admitted: "We are in that already, let's not kid ourselves about that."

Scunthorpe manager Ian Baraclough said: "After the 4-1 reverse against Leeds there was some criticism thrown at us and we've responded in the right way.

"I'm delighted by the clean sheet. Michael Raynes and Niall Canavan are two young defenders who were immense at the back. If they carry on like that they'll be our first-choice centre-backs at this club for years to come.

"But I thought everybody played their part in a good local derby. Our average age was 23, which is perhaps slightly too young for the championship, but everyone is chomping at the bit."

MATCH FOCUS

Hero: Michael O'Connor

Left out of the team a few weeks ago, Scunthorpe's goalscorer was outstanding to just pip City goalkeeper Matt Duke as the game's most influential player.

Villain: James Harper

Just how the City midfielder failed to score when faced with the seemingly simple task of beating Joe Murphy from seven yards is something he must still be wondering today.

Key moment

89th minute. A sweeping Scunthorpe move saw Eddie Nolan skip past Kamil Zayatte and roll a pass to Freddie Sears, who in turn picked out O'Connor and he scored with aplomb.

Ref Watch

Anthony Taylor. Looked in danger during the first half of losing control of a derby where the tackles were flying but, overall, the official could be happy with his efforts.

Verdict

Scunthorpe deservedly took the points to deepen the gloom at the KC Stadium as the hangover from last season's relegation threatens to condemn the club to a second year fighting for their survival.

Quote of the day

I will work very hard to get the players who don't want to be here out.

– Nigel Pearson has a stark warning for his

under-performing squad.

Next game

Leeds United v Hull City; Tomorrow, 7.45pm; Championship.

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