Hull 0 Crystal Palace 0: Stockdale’s late block sees Tigers gain some reward

The Tigers boss watched his side produce a superb performance against the Eagles, whom he managed for a short spell in 2005 before leaving for Birmingham.

However, Hull were unable to convert their chances with Robert Koren – making his 100th appearance for the club – firing over from close range midway through the first half when the goal was at his mercy.

The visitors seemed to be feeling the effects of seeing their 14-game unbeaten run come to a halt at Leeds United on Saturday, but could have won with the last kick of the game, only for on-loan goalkeeper David Stockdale to deny winger Wilfried Zaha.

The draw sees Hull drop a place to sixth in the Championship, while Ian Holloway’s outfit stay a point behind leaders Cardiff, who were held at Derby, after failing to find the net for the first time this season.

Hull went close to making an early breakthrough but Koren and David Meyler could not get on the end of a dangerous ball from Robbie Brady that fizzed across the six-yard box.

Palace responded and Stockdale had to be alert to stop an angled drive from Yannick Bolasie.

Koren was guilty of missing a glorious chance to make his side’s dominance count on 24 minutes.

Ahmed Elmohamady’s persistence on the right saw him deliver a cross that fell to the midfielder just six yards out, but he blazed the ball over the top.

The Hull captain was aggrieved not to be given a penalty when his blocked shot rebounded on to a Palace’s defender’s hand before Stephen Quinn volleyed wide.

Hull started the second half where they left off in the first and Julian Speroni had to parry Quinn’s shot to safety, and Sone Aluko curled a free-kick just over.

Quinn wasted another chance, flicking Elmohamady’s cross wide, before Koren failed to breach the defences of Speroni.

Hull were fortunate not be reduced to 10 men with 14 minutes remaining when last man Brady was only booked for bringing down Zaha 25 yards out.

Bolasie had a late chance, but he shot wide after latching onto a short back pass, and Speroni, diving to his right, produced a wonderful save to deny substitute Aaron Mclean moments later.

Zaha almost snatched the three points for Palace deep into stoppage time, but Stockdale was on hand to deny him.

Hull City: Stockdale, Elmohamady, Chester, McShane, Bruce, Brady (Rosenior 83), Koren (Proschwitz 76), Evans, Meyler, Quinn, Aluko (Mclean 76). Unused substitutes: Jakupovic, McKenna, Simpson, Faye.

Crystal Palace: Speroni, Ward, Ramage, Delaney, Parr, Zaha, Dikgacoi, Garvan, Jedinak, Bolasie,Easter (Wilbraham 61). Unused substitutes: Price, Martin, Moxey, O’Keefe, Appiah, Gabbidon.

Referee: D Drysdale (Lincolnshire).