HULL City's reserves got their season underway with a 2-0 defeat by Scunthorpe United at Eon Visual Media Stadium.
United, coached by former Tiger Andy Dawson, deserved the win over the course of the 90 minutes, having hit the woodwork twice.
City also hit the post, but were unable to find a way past impressive keeper James Severn.
Early-season rustiness was evident in the opening stages with over-hit and misdirected passes dominating proceedings.
James Armstrong was the first to come close to opening the scoring, but he headed weakly from Paul McElroy's cross from the right.
City favoured their right side with McElroy always keen to get the ball at his feet and run at defenders.
Curtis Bateson should have broken the deadlock in the 19th minute. A well-worked one-two with Kyle Wootton created the chance, but his finish lacked composure and accuracy.
Calaum Jahraldo-Martin showed better composure and accuracy in the heart of City's midfield. Spinning out of a two-man tackle, he wove his way towards the Scunthorpe goal and instead of being greedy and go for the shot, he rolled the ball to his left but Dougie Wilson's cross was poor and clearly easily.
Hakeeb Adelakan came within inches of scoring when he got the better of a napping Max Clark at the back post. Bateson's cross couldn't have been delivered any better but Adelakan's shot struck the post.
Dan Chambers forced a good save from Severn low to his left and Severn had to be at his best to save Conor Townsend's free-kick on the edge of the box.
Not to be outshone, City keeper Joe Cracknell produced a superb save low to his right to keep out Jamie Wootton's header.
City came out for the second half in attacking mode. Matty Dixon was unlucky to see his curling left-foot shot rebound off the far post with the keeper well beaten.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 66th minute with a well-taken finish by Bateson, who had clearly learned from his earlier miss. Bearing down on goal, he calmly slotted the ball past the advancing Cracknell.
Jordan Clark came close to doubling Scunthorpe's lead but his shot hit the bar in the 78th minute.
City persevered down their left with the impressive McElroy causing havoc in the Scunthorpe box with good quality crosses.
Dan Chambers should have scored but blazed over, while Jahraldo-Martin was unfortunate when a McElroy cross was just an inch too high for him at the back post.
Scunthorpe finished the game on top, with Clark rattling the woodwork, before Jamie Wootton scored an 89th-minute penalty after he was grounded by Cracknell, who was shown a yellow card for the challenge.
Hull City: Joe Cracknell, Sam Topliss, Conor Townsend, Dougie Wilson, Will Aimson, Matty Dixon (Canham 71), Calaum Jahraldo-Martin, Max Clark, Daniel Chambers, Paul McElroy, James Armstrong (Weaver 46).• Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
