The KC's largest league attendance witness a poor show from the Tigers as a dreadful Leeds side are dragged to victory by a fine performance by Alan Thompson.

As the White Shite rode into town, was this going to be the gunfight at the KC, or another game like the one at Elland Road's dilapidated ground; edgy, nervous, too much at stake?

Well, the line-ups indicated that Leeds were not here to defend, which they can't anyway, so a 4-4-2, with Healy alongside Kandol, showed at least some attacking intent, whereas the "mighty" Tigers carried on with the now customary 4-3-3, or 4-3-1-2, if that's how you like it, with Windass seemingly sitting behind Forster and Parkin.

The loss of Livermore was crucial, although I am not yet converted as a fan, because Leeds came out of the blocks a lot better than City. A "handbags" incident in the centre circle involving Parkin and Heath in only the 3rd minute set the tone for yet another poor refereeing display, Mr. Joslin intent on blowing for the merest touch of any player on another.

Defensively, City were fairly comfortable, Turner improving all the time, with Damien his usual assured self. A couple of wild strikes early doors from promising positions for Leeds led the Tiger faithful to think that this may be their night.

7th minute, a rare Delaney error, and the resulting Thompson free kick pushed round the post by Boaz.

9th minute, 1st City corner, and a Marney cross should have been punished by an unmarked Turner eight yards out, but he heads wide.

17th minute, another wasted Marney free kick, overhit to the back post. Why does he keep doing it. Can we not have some variation?

19th minute, only a timely interception by Dawson stops Kandol six yards out from opening the scoring. However, joy is short lived, as yet another innocuous looking free kick is given by the ever fussy referee, with City alarmingly watching the floated ball into the box. Nobody had tracked Heath and he calmly lifted the ball over Myhill and into the net, to put the White Shite 1-0 up. A very soft goal.

Leeds' antics to timewaste became grating to say the least, but our response to the setback was poor. Forster was working his socks off up front, causing Leeds' defence problems, but Windass was not in the game, nor Parkin for that matter. Even Ash, though trying to raise the tempo, was struggling to master the midfield. The only threats seemed to come from a couple of sixty yard cross-field passes from Ricketts, who had a good game overall, which set Forster on another mazy run at the defence.

36 mins. A wild trip on Healy by Turner justifiably led to the first yellow card of the game. Is he due for suspension soon? This was followed by the 4th official, Mr. Bassindale coming onto the pitch, delaying the game for a couple more minutes, then the referee let play go on with Leeds' free kick, without taking any further action.....baffling! What was the problem?

39 mins. Yellow for Lewis for kicking the ball way.

Half time approaches, only three minutes extra, but another free kick out on the right, swung in deliciously by Marney, leads to a Turner shot being blocked by Sullivan, but Forster rams in the rebound. 1-1.

46 mins. Controversy reigns. A sweeping pass over the top of Leeds rearguard sets Parkin in and he finishes coolly into the bottom corner. Joy is shortlived however, as the inept linesman, has his flag up indicating offside. Memories of last season flood back, when Parkin was proved to be onside by TV cameras against Leeds. This prompted some very 'dodgy' decisions for the rest of the game by that linesman.

48 mins. Disaster for City. Another foul by Turner for holding leads to Leeds players surrounding the ref, trying to get Turner a second yellow, then a red card. Despicable! Unfortunately, but I have to say I was right behind it, a brilliant curling free kick by Thompson leaves Myhill clutching air as the ball flies into the top corner.

54 mins. Marney wastes an excellent chance after good work down the right involving Ricketts and Forster, who fed the ball through to Windass. The layoff was perfect, but from twelve yards out, Marney blazes into Block 27 of the South stand!

60 mins. Bridges replaces France.

Handbags again, with Parkin and Douglas. Then it's Kandol's turn, like at Leeds. This time feigning injury in our box. The ref, surprisingly, is having nothing to dowith it though, prompting City to break and win a corner. When Kandol then jogs down to defend for Leeds, a rightful chorus of boos rings round the KC.

More shirt pulling leads to a yellow for Heath, but Windass wastes an opportunity when Bridges works his way through Leeds' defence.

After yet another handbags incident, a few minutes later, Kandol finally gets a yellow card. Elliott then comes on for Windass.

Elliott should have done better when brilliantly picked out by Bridges, but blazes his volley from ten yards, wide of the post.

84 mins. Duffy for Parkin. A breakaway by Leeds sees Myhill save well from Kandol's shot.

In injury time Forster finds himself through on goal, but stumbles at the vital moment under a challenge by Marques and Sullivan gratefully dives on the loose ball.

Not an absolute disaster, but the pessimists before the game were right. City never did get going at Leeds' suspect defence. Forster stood out, but service mostly was poor. Results went the Tigers way, with QPR and Luton losing, but who has the greatest nerve. WBA and Derby up next, only seven points between the bottom eight, it's going to need a massive effort, but I do think we will survive...just!

On the playing side, maybe Bridges deserves to start on Saturday, with Parkin on the bench. Livermore should be back and Welsh may well soon feature, so it's not all doom and gloom. Defensively, no changes need to be made, although Turner is totting up cards. Maybe a change back to 4-4-2 might serve us better.

HULL CITY (4-3-3): Myhill; Ricketts, Turner, Delaney, Dawson; Marney, Ashbee, France; Forster, Parkin, Windass.  Subs: Bridges (for France, 61), Elliott (for Windass, 79), Duffy (for Parkin, 82), Coles, Duke.

Goals: Forster 45

Booked: Turner

Sent Off: None

LEEDS UNITED: Sullivan, Armando Sa, Heath, Rui Marques, Richardson, Thompson, Douglas, Howson, Lewis, Healy, Kandol.  Subs: Crainey (for Lewis, 81), Einarsson (for Armando Sa, 85), Blake (for Healy, 89), Carole, Elliott

Goals: Heath 21; Thompson 50

Booked: Healy, Heath, Kandol, Lewis

Sent Off: None

REFEREE:  P Joslin

ATTENDANCE: 24,311