Football: HULL HELD

CHRIS WEALE helped knock Hull off the top of Division Three with some excellent saves for in-form Yeovil.

City threw everything forward in the second half, but have now only scored three goals in four games as their title ambitions have taken a knock.

They could have suffered a second consecutive defeat, but were relieved to see Hugo Rodrigues hit the woodwork.

Hull were quickly into their stride, going close twice in the first 10 minutes. Marc Joseph's spectacular overhead kick from six yards went wide and Ben Burgess was just too high with a volley from the edge of the area. Rodrigues did well to block a Stuart Green volley as Yeovil fought to contain the Division Three leaders.

The visitors struggled to create their own chances, and Gavin Williams' effort from 25 yards failed to find the target.

But Hull's shots were not troubling Weale either, with Jason Price getting into a good position before firing over the crossbar.

Danny Allsopp had provided a pre-match blow to Peter Taylor's side, the Australian striker failing to recover from a groin injury.

Yeovil had better news on the injury front, with Adam Lockwood, Terry Skiverton, Colin Pluck and Paul Terry all passing fitness tests. Goalkeeper Paul Musselwhite, recalled to Hull's side, had been largely a spectator until he was forced into an excellent save in the 27th minute.

A well-worked move saw Jake Edwards fire a shot from 25 yards, and Musselwhite tipped the effort round the post.

Price and Burgess combined well in another move, but Burgess again missed out with his close-range effort going wide of Weale's upright.

Rodrigues was cautioned for handball early in the second half, but Hull wasted the good opportunity when Green's free-kick from 25 yards failed to pick out any of his team-mates, or trouble Weale.

Burgess then headed wide before Ian Ashbee chanced his arm with a blistering shot from 30 yards and Weale could only parry the powerful effort round the post.

But Yeovil, with 10 goals in their last three games, went forward with conviction after the break seeking the win that would put them level on points with City.

They battled to find a way through before Rodrigues thought he had found it. He eluded the defence to get in a header six yards out, only to see it hit the woodwork with Musselwhite beaten.

That escape stung Hull into action, but Weale did well to deny Price from a header after Green had sent in a teasing cross.

The Yeovil keeper tipped over Ashbee's late effort as Hull surged forward, but they were relieved to see Musselwhite hang onto Skiverton's close-range header.

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