Hull frustrated by MK Dons but move in to third
Hull's winless run in the Sky Bet Championship extended to three games as they were held to a 1-1 draw by struggling MK Dons.
Hull's promotion bid has been hit by a recent shortage of goals but with the draw they moved above Brighton into third in the table on goal difference.
MK Dons, who remain a point clear of the relegation zone with the draw at the KC Stadium, took an early second-half lead through an Antony Kay header from a corner but Sam Clucas equalised just three minutes later with a fine free-kick.
Chuba Akpom, recalled to the starting line-up for Tom Huddlestone as Hull employed a three-man attack also featuring Abel Hernandez and Mo Diame, was just unable to get on the end of an Ahmed Elmohamady cross after 10 minutes.
Hernandez saw his far-post header from a corner cleared 18 minutes in as Hull tried to apply more pressure, the attack resulting in a delay for Kyle McFadzean who was injured trying to clear the ball.
Hull went close after half an hour when Andy Robertson cut in from the left and slid the ball to Elmohamady, who was recalled for the injured Robert Snodgrass, but his shot was wide.
Akpom then wasted a good cross from Elmohamady with a wayward header as a dour first half drew towards a close.
Hull looked more intent after the break and got a shot on target with a minute gone when Diame cut inside but his effort was straight at goalkeeper David Martin.
The game finally burst into life five minutes into the second half as Josh Murphy's corner was headed in by an unmarked Antony Kay.
But the lead lasted only three minutes as Clucas curled a free-kick in at the near post from the edge of the area.
His left-footed delivery gave Martin little chance and earned the midfielder his sixth goal of the season.
Hull should have been ahead when Diame hung the ball up but Akpom put his header over the bar.
Clucas brought a save out of Martin with a volley from 30 yards which saw the MK Dons keeper push the ball around his right-hand post.
Martin was forced off with 20 minutes to go with what looked like a hamstring injury suffered when he slipped kicking the ball clear, Cody Cropper coming on in his place.
Kay was forced into a fine block from Akpom's close range shot and from the resulting corner Curtis Davies was off target with his effort as the Tigers pressed for a winner.
Despite the visitors' goal coming under a lot of pressure a rare foray into the Hull half saw Daniel Powell's shot from a tight angle bring a save out of Allan McGregor.
Substitute Sone Aluko's long distance drive forced a good save from Cropper and a Clucas volley, the latter during eight minutes of stoppage time, was blocked as Hull were forced to settle for a share of the points.
Source: PA
