Hull and Portsmouth play out dull goalless draw

Oct 24, 2009 - 6:26 PM By ALEX CROOK STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Hull and Portsmouth, both rooted in the Premier League's bottom three, fought out a dull and dour goalless draw at the KC Stadium in a match neither could afford to lose.

Managers Paul Hart and Phil Brown were happy enough to collect a priceless point but there was little for fans of either troubled side to enjoy in a match short on quality worthy of the top flight.

If Hull were marginally the better side in the first half, Portsmouth had two clear chances to have won in the second.

Disappointed Portsmouth boss Hart said: "It was typical of the way things have gone for us lately. We had a great chance in the second half but a shot from Arune Dindane was going in until it hit one of his own players.

"Younes Kaboul apologised but what can you do? What are the chances of that happening?"

Tommy Smith dragged a shot wide for Portsmouth in the first minute but it was a rare glimmer of excitement and Hull got on top.

Dean Marney twice went close for Hull but after the break Portsmouth showed extra class and should have gone home with all three points and a second away win of the season.

Jamie O'Hara, on loan from Tottenham, floated in a free kick on the hour and Dindane's shot from ten yards seemed to provide him with his Premier League goal until it went straight at goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Hassan Yebda, who got the only goal in the win over Wolves earlier this month, replicated Dindane's miss from close range as Pompey threw away precious openings.

Hull were not able to play Jimmy Bullard who injured a shin in a reserve match on Tuesday and his influence was sorely missed.

Winger Jozy Altidore was also a surprise Hull absentee but Brown explained why.

Brown said: "Altidore arrived late for the game so he was left out of the squad and will be punished internally by being hit in the pocket."

Altidore's response was to tell the world via the internet social networking site, Twitter.

Brown added: "I don't understand why people announce what has happened to the world in such a way, but he did."

Hart meanwhile defended profligate Dindane and believes there are goals to come from the pacy frontrunner.

"Every striker goes through barren spells and he will get through it. It is up to others to help him because he is new to the Premier League and still coming to terms with life in England.

"I think my players are strong mentally after all that has been going on. We are an attacking side, which is rare for teams near the bottom, and there was no way they would have settled for a point."

Relegation rival Brown said: "It is another Premier League point. There was plenty of effort and energy from both sides but not much quality in front of goal. We can improve."