STEVE Bruce was forced to reopen the inquest into Hull City's attacking faults after being held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by promotion rivals Leicester City.
The Tigers' perfect run through December was halted yesterday as former manager Nigel Pearson helped the Foxes to escape from the KC Stadium with a hard-fought point.
Although both managers could point towards missed chances in an entertaining Boxing Day clash, it was the home side that spurned the game's best opportunities.
Jay Simpson and Abdoulaye Faye were both guilty of squandering gilt-edged openings to make it five wins on the bounce for City in front of a season-high 20,321 attendance.
The stalemate, only the Tigers' third of the season, preserved their standing of second in the Championship, but afterwards Bruce made his frustrations clear.
"I felt we had the better chances, we certainly had the more clear-cut chances," said Bruce.
"Even though Eldin Jakupovic did well handling some difficult situations, the big chances went to us and we should have scored.
"Anyone that has seen us over the last four or five months, that frustration is the one we often have.
"I've seen some of the chances again and there were four or five opportunities where you really need to take at least one of them in the big games. That's the frustration for us all that we haven't been quite clinical enough."
Although City have made boundless progress under Bruce, winning 14 of their 24 games this term, the pursuit of a new striker will only intensify after this stalemate.
Despite scoring twice in all of their four victories that preceded yesterday's blank, City are the lowest scorers currently inside the top seven.
Bruce will attempt to bolster his attacking line in the January window, with ex-Tiger Fraizer Campbell top of his list, but knows it will be difficult.
"It's gnawing away at us all. It's not just the forwards, all round we have to contribute a bit more," he added.
"I was shouting 'Goal!' when I saw big Abdoulaye Faye running towards the ball for his chance.
"I hope it's not going to be our Achilles heel because some of the football was terrific to watch. I suppose that's why the strikers get paid the most money.
"We have to get someone that's proven. It's very difficult to do business in January and if there is someone, we'll try our utmost."
Despite Bruce's concerns, a point extended the Tigers' rich vein of form ahead of welcoming Leeds to the KC on Saturday.
A six-game unbeaten run continues to see them trailing only league-leaders Cardiff as the second half of the season got underway and Bruce was content to keep fifth-placed Leicester at arm's length.
"I've seen Leicester and Cardiff and those are the two teams to beat," he said.
"They've had a lot of investment in the last couple of years and they're the strongest teams I've seen so far.
"A draw was probably the fair result because they're a good side. At least we took something from it.
"We're disappointed that we haven't beaten one of the big teams in the division so that shows where we are at the moment. We had the best chances and didn't quite take them."
Fine margins for City – P52-53
