HUNGRY TIGERS HUNT DOWN MEGSON IN GRUESOME SURVIVAL FIGHT

Klasnic holds off his marker to score

Wednesday December 30,2009

By Matthew Dunn

STEPHEN Hunt proved that Hull have legs to match their heart with two late goals to ensure the Tigers at least had something to show for their valiant efforts this Christmas

Paul Robinson’s failure by inches to clear Republic of Ireland international Hunt’s effort off the line secured a point at Bolton after battling defeats against Arsenal and Manchester United.

And it proved some vindication of Phil Brown’s determination not to “throw” either of those matches against the ‘Big Four’ sides to improve their chances in their relegation battle.

Hull, to their credit, arrived with exactly the same team that lost so valiantly to United just 48 hours earlier.

While such integrity – take note Wolves – showed that Hull’s hearts are in the right place, it nevertheless put something of a question mark over their legs. Phil Brown said that turning up with any less intensity at the Reebok than they had shown at the KC Stadium on Sunday was a “no brainer” – this after all, was a game they stood more chance of winning given that it was against a team with just one victory in the last nine games.

Hull’s record of five games without a win was no more impressive, which probably explains the scrappy start to the match from both sides more than weariness from a busy Christmas programme.

Until the 20th minute, that is. Zat Knight’s long punt forward may have lacked any real