Five changes and a more plucky display, perhaps this match against Luton finally signals the end of City's decline this season and the start of a recovery.

Well, that was better then. We looked a bit like a team again. The defence was generally in control and kept Vine and (their) Parkin pretty well shackled. The midfield had some bite, some commitment. It had some energy, some eagerness, and we haven't been able to say any of that just recently. In a game where we had the majority of possession and where both strike forces struggled to create any gilt-edged chances, it was just the lack of a cutting edge or a quality final ball that denied us the three points. And, having said all that, we all thought that we had bagged the victory with a late, late Elliott strike that was mysteriously ruled out by the referee (Mr G Laws).

We carded a line up with five changes from the nightmare at Turf Moor.

Myhill (in powder blue)
Mills Coles Turner Ricketts
Fagan Welsh Ashbee Elliott
Beast Forster.

Our visitors kicked off sporting a pristine all-white kit with the very barest minimum of colour and trim. And a lively opening spell it was too. An early chance fell their way after a positive run to the bye line down the left resulted in a low cross being met by Bell, just ahead of Turner, but thankfully his touch struck Boaz smack in the chest from only a few yards out. At the other end a neat flick from Fagan and a bustling challenge from The Beast put the latter clean through. He advanced to the edge of the box but hit a poor shot, with the outside of his right foot, that failed to clear the sprawling netminder. A good, good chance gone a-begging. But we kept pressing and harassing with Welsh, in particular, showing that he was keen to make the most of a rare starting role. His positive runs and determined challenges kept the Hatters' midfield on the back foot. But still we couldn't find a way through their well-marshalled back line.

Time to try the unexpected perhaps. And a great LEFT footed strike from the boot of Danny Mills that comprehensively beat the keeper would certainly fit that particular bill. His attempt to pick the lock of the Hatstands' defence began by barging his way past one, a cut inside a second, and the ball was only denied a grand union with the back of the net by a last-gasp clearance from a defender at the foot of the far post. Other opportunities came and went from more expected sources: a sweet, sweet volley from Fagan flew inches wide and an Elliott free-kick went plum into the keeper's midriff. With a half hour gone an alarm call at the other end as a Hatpin got past Ricketts and pulled back a perfect cross for the unmarked Vine. Thankfully he stumbled drunkedly just as he was about to shoot and totally fluffed his kick. Seconds later he was trying to make amends with a good run into the box that was halted by a great tackle from Coles.

The first period finished with a continuation of half chances both North and South. Firstly a chipped Elliott free-kick was pinged around the area by a succession of headers before Mills' bald pate set up Forster, but he had to stretch too far and put his shot high over the bar. One final scare at our end when a neat Hat trick by the corner flag left two Tiger defenders for dead. The deep cross was met with a clean header that went just behind the onrushing strikers. So, an encouraging half albeit interspersed with one or two scares along the way.

Ten minutes into the restart and we witnessed a very peculiar incident. The lino, stood bang on halfway in front of the East stand, drew the ref's attention and pointed to something/someone in the the crowd. Had some idiot thrown something at him ? Had he been taking a bit too much verbal abuse ? Nope, the ref leant over the hoardings and dismissed our goalkeeping coach from the front row for, presumably, shouting instructions from outside the technical area. The full width of the pitch outside it to be honest.

On the pitch Welsh was continuing to put in a sterling performance. His bursting run into the box created a snap-shot chance for Coles that the keeper smothered and after Parkin headed an Ashbee cross back into the mixer, Forster was able to slip it wide to tee up our young Scouser and he was only denied by a firm, well-timed Hatchet challenge. With about 25 to go it looked as if we were finally about to reap some benefits of a sustained period of possession when the Beast won an aerial duel with the Hattie Jacques goalie and gathered the loose ball, took a touch (maybe two would have been more prudent) but blasted over the bar from a fairly narrow angle. Should have done better, big fella.

More half chances; a Mills cross was Beasted down but scrambled away. And that was to be his last contribution as our first substitution saw France on in a wide role, Fagan go up front and Parkin withdrawn. Forster, who was pretty anonymous throughout, broke clear with Fagan in support put played a poor ball and the momentum was lost before good build-up play set up France wide right. His glorious cross was headed away desperately by a diving Hatchback.

Second sub saw Bridges on for Forster. We were still having to defend though. Their Parkin had a clean header but failed to trouble Boaz and then yet another cross from the bye line flew across our box. It was missed by everyone but looked to be set up perfectly for one of theirs at the far post, only for Mills to throw himself into a goal-saving block at the expense of a corner. Into the last 5 and we win a free kick about 25 yards out. A Mills bomb flew around the wall and looked destined for the goal but for a flying parried save. France got to the rebound to follow up but the ball was finally cleared after a bit of a mad scramble.

And then we thought we'd won it. Elliott crossed from the left, it was knocked back across goal, chances to clear went begging allowing Elliott to run in to the box and flash the loose ball into the roof of the net off the thigh of a flailing defender. Quite why the ref disallowed it, I know not.

Still time for Fagan to latch onto a long ball and chip the keeper but also the crossbar and for Ricketts to show hitherto unforeseen fancy footwork with a mazy dribble that resulted in France and Bridges just failing to profit. Delaney on as a late sub for Elliott and, strangely, he played the remaining few minutes up front.

Encouraging then ? Well yes. We still got roasted a few times down the flanks but nowhere near as disturbingly as at Burnley at the weekend. Welsh and Coles looked the pick of the bunch. Fagan and Turner could be pleased with their efforts too. Danny 'Jekyll' Mills deserves a mention for a display that was actually an asset to his team compared to some of the Mr Hyde performances he has put in over his career that, at best, could be described as dangerously destructive. The start of a run to move us up the table ? Hmm, maybe. But with Preston up next it'll be a big ask.

HULL CITY (4-4-2): Myhill; Mills, Coles, Turner, Ricketts; Fagan, Welsh, Ashbee, Elliott; Parkin, Forster.  Subs: France (for Parkin, 71), Bridges (for Forster, 82), Delaney (for Elliott, 90), Yeates, Duke.

Goals: None

Booked: Ashbee, Mills, Fagan, Parkin

Sent Off: None

LUTON TOWN: Beresford, Foley, Heikkinen, Barnett, Davis, Bell, Langley, O'Leary, Morgan, Vine, Parkin.  Subs: Brill, Keane, Feeney, Holmes, Boyd.

Goals: None

Booked: Bell

Sent Off: None

REFEREE: G Laws

ATTENDANCE: 14,895