NICK Proschwitz was Hull City's saviour as the striker's stoppage-time header rescued a 1-1 draw with Leyton Orient at the KC Stadium this afternoon.
The Tigers looked set for another embarrassing stumble in the FA Cup when David Mooney's header gave Russell Slade's men a deserved lead 12 minutes from time.
Orient had one foot in the fourth round against a desperately poor City but Proschwitz pounced in the fourth minute of added time to nod in Cairney's cross.
The German's third goal of the season was enough to earn a replay but failed to mask City's alarming shortcomings in front of 8,585 largely frustrated supporters.
The nine changes made by manager Steve Bruce gave a clear indication of his priorities during this promotion-chasing season in the Championship.
Only Eldin Jakupovic and Liam Rosenior survived from the 0-0 draw at Blackpool four days earlier and the lack of fluency was telling in an abject first-half performance from the Tigers.
Aside from Nick Proschwitz's early shot wide of the upright after Paul McKenna's pass, City posed their League One visitors few headaches.
Orient, 37 places lower than the Tigers in the Football League ladder, grew increasingly comfortable and created the better chances of a tepid opening half.
Leon McSweeney's fierce shot from 30 yards out was as close as either side came to breaking the stalemate and his effort required a fingertip save from Jakupovic.
A clever passing move from the O's culmianted wth Dean Cox's backheel into Kevin Lisbie's path before the striker fired harmlessly over, while Jakupovic had to be strong to block the shot of Lee Cook from close range.
A woefully ineffective 3-5-2 shape, with Cameron Stewart deployed at left wing-back and Andy Dawson as the third centre-half, was ditched by the Tigers before the break but it did little to improve their fortunes.
Cook shot straight at Jakupovic in another City let-off eight minutes into the second half and it was not until the 70th minute, when Paul McShane headed Dawson's cross at Jamie Jones, that the Tigers could finally muster a shot on target.
City appeared to enjoy a let off with 18 minutes remaining. Alex Bruce appeared to drag Mooney to the ground inside the penalty area only for the official to wave away the penalty claims.
If Mooney felt aggrieved, his luck turned for the better in the 78th minute. Cox's excellent cross from the right wing was met Mooney's run in between two defenders and his low header was too good for Jakupovic.
The scoreline failed to flatter Orient and City were left with an uphill task to force a replay in the closing stages.
Proschwitz's well-struck shot at Jones appeared to be their final chance but the German would have the last word when nodding in Cairney's cross from the penalty spot.
City must now hope to overcome Orient in the replay at Brisbane Road on Tuesday 15 January.
The Tigers looked set for another embarrassing stumble in the FA Cup when David Mooney's header gave Russell Slade's men a deserved lead 12 minutes from time.
Orient had one foot in the fourth round against a desperately poor City but Proschwitz pounced in the fourth minute of added time to nod in Cairney's cross.
The German's third goal of the season was enough to earn a replay but failed to mask City's alarming shortcomings in front of 8,585 largely frustrated supporters.
The nine changes made by manager Steve Bruce gave a clear indication of his priorities during this promotion-chasing season in the Championship.
Only Eldin Jakupovic and Liam Rosenior survived from the 0-0 draw at Blackpool four days earlier and the lack of fluency was telling in an abject first-half performance from the Tigers.
Aside from Nick Proschwitz's early shot wide of the upright after Paul McKenna's pass, City posed their League One visitors few headaches.
Orient, 37 places lower than the Tigers in the Football League ladder, grew increasingly comfortable and created the better chances of a tepid opening half.
Leon McSweeney's fierce shot from 30 yards out was as close as either side came to breaking the stalemate and his effort required a fingertip save from Jakupovic.
A clever passing move from the O's culmianted wth Dean Cox's backheel into Kevin Lisbie's path before the striker fired harmlessly over, while Jakupovic had to be strong to block the shot of Lee Cook from close range.
A woefully ineffective 3-5-2 shape, with Cameron Stewart deployed at left wing-back and Andy Dawson as the third centre-half, was ditched by the Tigers before the break but it did little to improve their fortunes.
Cook shot straight at Jakupovic in another City let-off eight minutes into the second half and it was not until the 70th minute, when Paul McShane headed Dawson's cross at Jamie Jones, that the Tigers could finally muster a shot on target.
City appeared to enjoy a let off with 18 minutes remaining. Alex Bruce appeared to drag Mooney to the ground inside the penalty area only for the official to wave away the penalty claims.
If Mooney felt aggrieved, his luck turned for the better in the 78th minute. Cox's excellent cross from the right wing was met Mooney's run in between two defenders and his low header was too good for Jakupovic.
The scoreline failed to flatter Orient and City were left with an uphill task to force a replay in the closing stages.
Proschwitz's well-struck shot at Jones appeared to be their final chance but the German would have the last word when nodding in Cairney's cross from the penalty spot.
City must now hope to overcome Orient in the replay at Brisbane Road on Tuesday 15 January.
