TOM Huddlestone's missed penalty proved to be crucial as Hull City could only draw 0-0 in their debut European clash against AS Trencin.
Huddlestone had the chance to create history by becoming the first City player to score in a competitive game in Europe, but could only look on as his 60th-minute spot-kick was saved by Milos Volesak. To compound matters, the midfielder then blazed over the bar from just two yards out when it had looked easier to score.
Having failed to secure a crucial away goal in their third round qualifying clash, the Tigers must now win when they welcome the Slovakian side to the KC Stadium on Thursday.
But it won't be an easy task as the home side looked to offer a few decent threats of their own in what was a hard-fought Europa League contest.
Prior to Huddlestone's miss, City had started the second half slowly and were fortunate to see Patrik Misak fire wide from range and Moses Simon thwarted by a Huddlestone tackle.
With 25 minutes to go, City threw on new signings Tom Ince and Robert Snodgrass for their competitive debuts and they helped the Tigers to get forward and on the front foot.
It paid off when Curtis Davies managed to get a header in from a set-piece, but it didn't ever really threaten to beat Volesak
However, it was the impressive Misak who had the best chance to score again but he saw his effort blocked, this time by Liam Rosenior, as the home fans held their breath for what looked certain to be a goal.![huddlestone2]()
![huddlestone]()
Tom Huddlestone's penalty miss proved crucial.
Inside the last ten minutes, manager Steve Bruce opted to throw on Nikica Jelavic for the hard-working Shane Long, despite the Croatian striker not returning for pre-season training until Monday. However, it was Trencin substitute Karol Mondek who had the best late chance when he saw his shot blocked and turned away for a corner as the home side looked to press for a winner late on. In the first half, City started well and could have gone ahead through a David Meyler header if it hadn't been directed over after a decent delivery from a free-kick. Another header from Long again saw the Tigers come close just before the half hour mark, but he could only turn Rosenior's cross over the angle of the post and bar. Aluko's low shot then caused the first real problem for goalkeeper Volesak, but he managed to gather at the second attempt. Having weathered a few half chances, Trencin finally found a foothold in the game inside the final 15 minutes when they started gain more possession, with Simon looking particularly dangerous when given too much time to run at City's defence. It was Simon who saw two efforts blocked in quick succession after 35 minutes, first from an Alex Bruce tackle and then a Davies block which diverted the ball for a corner. But although the Slovakian side finished strongly and posed a few questions, Tigers keeper Allan McGregor was not really seriously tested.
Tom Huddlestone's penalty miss proved crucial.Inside the last ten minutes, manager Steve Bruce opted to throw on Nikica Jelavic for the hard-working Shane Long, despite the Croatian striker not returning for pre-season training until Monday. However, it was Trencin substitute Karol Mondek who had the best late chance when he saw his shot blocked and turned away for a corner as the home side looked to press for a winner late on. In the first half, City started well and could have gone ahead through a David Meyler header if it hadn't been directed over after a decent delivery from a free-kick. Another header from Long again saw the Tigers come close just before the half hour mark, but he could only turn Rosenior's cross over the angle of the post and bar. Aluko's low shot then caused the first real problem for goalkeeper Volesak, but he managed to gather at the second attempt. Having weathered a few half chances, Trencin finally found a foothold in the game inside the final 15 minutes when they started gain more possession, with Simon looking particularly dangerous when given too much time to run at City's defence. It was Simon who saw two efforts blocked in quick succession after 35 minutes, first from an Alex Bruce tackle and then a Davies block which diverted the ball for a corner. But although the Slovakian side finished strongly and posed a few questions, Tigers keeper Allan McGregor was not really seriously tested.
