Free kick for Hull in a dangerous area, Andy Dawson swings the ball itno a crowded Boro penalty area but Downing manages to clear for Boro.

Manucho gets his head on Boateng's cross but his effort goes over the Boro bar.

It looks as if Boro are going to hold on for a well deserved three points now, they're keeping possesion and Hull seem out of ideas.

Yet another great ball in from Downing but Huth heads over the Hull bar.

Ricketts heads over the Boro bar.

Downing had a great opportunity to give Boro an unassailable lead in a one-on-one with Duke but he misses the target.

Aliadiere goes down in the Hull box but the referee waves play on, in all fairness I think he was looking for a penalty and I think the referee got it right.

Hull free kick, Dawson swings the ball in and the ball eventually falls to Boateng but his shot goes way over the Boro cross bar.

Wheater heads the ball off the line as Manucho tried to bundle the ball in for Hull, probably Hull's best chance of an equaliser.

Long throw into the Boro box from Ricketts but Middlesbrough defend well and clear the danger.

Boro had a great chance with a three on two situation but Alves messes it up and Hull clear the danger.

Alves' shot is blocked by Zayatte.

Another Boro free kick but, for the first time this afternoon, Downing's delivery is poor and the danger passes.

Boro free-kick after Aliadiere is taken down on the edge of the box, Downing takes but his shot is just wide of the target.

Fagan lauches a ball into the Boro box but Wheater clears for the home side.

Tuncay wins a free kick for Boro on the left wing, Downing takes the kick and it falls to King who drives the ball across the goal but Wheater and Bates both can't reach it and Hull clear the danger.

Middlesbrough are less adventurous this half but Downing has created some good opportunities, Hull can't seem to get into this game at the moment.

Another fantastic ball in from Downing, Huth gets his head on it but his headed shot goes well wide of the Hull goal.

Great cross from Downing towards King but Hull manage to scramble the ball clear.

Dawson's cross is cleared by the Boro defence.

Four minutes of added time at the end of the half, not really sure where that has come from. Huth is fine to continue but he has a Terry Butcher style bandage around his head.

Boro defender Robert Huth is down injured, I think after a clash of heads, he should be ok to continue though.

Ian Ashbee takes a wild swipe at the ball and his shot goes high, wide and into the crowd.

Boro fail to create anything with the corner and Hull clear easily, the game has calmed down a bit now after a frantic opening.

McMahon takes a free kick which he swings into the Hull box, the Tigers clear for a corner.

Great tackle from McMahon on Fagan but Dowd wrongly decided the Boro youngster has fouled Fagan, the resulting free-kick is easily cleared by Boro.

Good ball from McMahon into the Hull box but Alves just can't quite reach it and Hull clear.

Hull looking to get back into this quickly and Mendy has just attempted a cross but David Wheater was on hand to clear the danger for Middlesbrough.

Very lively game now, Aliadiere goes down on the edge of the Hull area but referee Phil Dowd waves play on.

Brad Jones (Boro) smothers Fagan's shot after a great pass from Barmby, the ball falls to Manucho who shoots wide, if Manucho had taken his time he would have scored but the Manchester United loanee snatched at his effort.

Downing launches a cross into the Hull box but Duke gathers.

Great chance for Boro, Downing places a beautiful free-kick onto Wheater's head but the centre-half heads just wide.

Alves shoots from 30-yards but it goes well wide of the Hull goal, in my opinion he could have taken that a bit closer but Boro fans will be pleased he is willing to shoot from range.

Good effort from Downing from distance but Duke makes a decent save in the Hull goal, very open game and I'm sure we'll see some more goals.

Brad Jones gathers the corner easily.

Some good work from Mendy and Fagan for Hull in midfield, the Tigers do look dangerous in possesion and they've just won a corner.

Hull win a free kick just outside the Boro box, Geovanni stepped up too take it but his shot sails just over the bar.

Good chance for Boro, King laid the ball off to Alves but the Brazilian's shot sailed over the Hull cross-bar.

Great work from Brad Jones in the Boro goal, he ran out to smother the ball at the feet of Mendy who had a great opportunity to put Hull 2-1 up.

Hull were lucky to get that equaliser but Boro were guilty of poor defending, the away side are playing better now after that equaliser.

Boro corner, McMahon takes but Duke gathers in the Hull goal.

Boro are really on top now, Alves has just had another chance and Hull look shell-shocked.

Hull won the reverse fixture 2-1 in December, Marlon King who now plays for Boro got the winner then. Nervy start from both sides in the first few minutes with no scoring chances for either side yet.