Live Commentary

Hull frustrate QPR Rearguard action prevailed at the KC Stadium as Hull and QPR ground out a 0-0 stalemate in their npower Championship encounter. Rangers boss Neil Warnock will take his team back to London the happier of the two thanks to a point that keeps them five points clear at the top of the table. However, it was a frustrating afternoon for the promotion favourites as they were worked hard by an equally well-marshalled Hull team, who missed out on the chance to make up vital ground on the play-offs. Ishmael Miller had one ruled out for offside in the first half and Matty Fryatt spurned a sitter at the death for Hull, but there was little to separate either side. Hull chief Nigel Pearson made one change to his team, leaving out club captain Ian Ashbee as the midfielder's loan move to Preston nears completion. Corry Evans came into midfield in his place as QPR handed a debut to on loan striker Miller, who deputised for the injured Heidar Helguson. The early exchanges were sluggish - setting the agenda for a dull opening half. Adel Taarabt then gave a glimpse of why he is so widely publicised when his nimble feet evaded a few challenges before lashing a shot just over. Rangers had an even better chance 12 minutes in as Brad Guzan's flap at a corner presented defender Matt Connolly with an unattended net, however he could only clear the crossbar. Miller was guilty of being wasteful - shooting straight at Guzan - when he shrugged off Anthony Gerrard in a foot race to a long ball. The West Brom loanee thought he had made amends when he prodded home on the half hour, but his joy was tempered by the linesman's offside flag. City finally broke the shackles of QPR's territorial hold to create a chance as a Liam Rosenior pass found Cameron Stewart in space on the 18-yard line. The winger was promptly shut down, though, and Paddy Kenny was quickly down to his right to smother as the game limped to a welcome breather. The hosts began the second period brightly as Fryatt and Aaron Maclean's exchange of passes released the latter down the right, but no-one could cash-in on the former Peterborough's man teasing centre. Bradley Orr did nearly slice into his own net from the delivery, although he directed it over the bar to safety as the Tigers slowly built momentum. They forced Kenny into a neat save a few minutes later from Harper's long-range effort but Rangers - with 14 clean sheets to their name going into the clash - regrouped to keep Hull at a safe distance. Orr should have capitalised on a napping Hull backline when he ghosted in unattended to meet Wayne Routledge's free-kick but the right-back fired over as both managers made changes in search of a winner. One of those, Devitt, came nearest late on when he jigged past two before testing Kenny, but Fryatt spurned the best chance - blasting over in stoppage time with just the goalkeeper to beat.