Report: City 0 – 1 Blackpool

Hull City`s 2011/12 season got off to a poor start as Nigel Pearson`s side lost 1-0 to Blackpool on Friday evening.

Visitors Blackpool took all three points thanks to a late goal from former Tiger Gary Taylor – Fletcher, who finished emphatically into the top corner after a neat one two on the edge of the City area.

Pearson elected to hand debuts to five summer signings, with Gulasci, Dudgeon, McKenna, Brady and Adebola all starting. Adebola, who joined from Nottingham Forest, would see his debut cut short when he was forced to limp off shortly after the second half commenced, having taken a knock mid-way through the first forty-five.

The opening stages saw City on top, with Tom Cairney nearly giving Pearson`s side the lead when his long range free-kick struck the outside of the Blackpool post.

Cairney`s long range effort was City`s best of a tight first-half, with City`s other efforts tame in comparison. At the other end, Grandin headed narrowly wide when Gulasci failed to claim a chipped cross from Phillips, with the former Birmingham striker going close towards the end of the first half when his shot struck the outside of the post.

Nick Barmby was introduced for the injured Adebola, but it was Blackpool who started the second half brightly sensing they could put a nervous City side under pressure. Cathcart saw a header drift wide in similar circumstances to Grandin but apart from that, they rarely troubled the City goal despite dominating possession.

Robbie Brady again impressed as he attempted to edge City in-front. The young Manchester United loanee flashed a ball across goal that Nick Barmby could not reach before Matty Fryatt was denied by a last ditch challenge when appearing to be through on goal.

Fryatt was at the centre of City`s best opportunities but took too many touches when through on goal a second time, allowing Gilks to make a close range save. Barmby with the rebound shot over the bar as City continued to waste chances.

With City`s trouble in front of goal, Taylor – Fletcher secured what proved to be a Blackpool winner with a goal on 81 minutes.

Despite the late goal, City had chances to get back into the game, with Fryatt again going close but taking too long to shoot before Hobbs` header having moved up-front found Jay Simpson free of the last man. On as a substitute, Simpson lofted the ball over the on-rushing Gilks and over the bar as City`s home form troubles of last season continued into the new season.