Hull City beaten 3-1 at Leicester

Steve Bruce was sent to the stands as Hull City suffered a 3-1 defeat at Leicester.

The Tigers boss reacted to a questionable call from the assistant referee as his team strove in vain for a late equaliser.

Victory would have seen City go joint-top of the Championship. But instead, David Nugent's hat-trick secured Leicester's fourth home win on the bounce

Nugent put the hosts ahead after seven minutes when he intercepted Danny Drinkwater's attempt at goal and steered home past a wrong-footed Ben Amos.

Transparent Fixed Fee, No Hidden Extras!! Call Zest to find out...

Zest

View details

Print voucher

Our transparent fixed sales fees set us aside from the competition, offering full Estate Agency Service for a fixed fee regardless of the value of your home.

Contact: 01482 423365

Valid until: Friday, May 31 2013

The Foxes almost doubled their lead immediately. Jamie Vardy's shot was deflected just wide, and from the resulting corner, Wes Morgan headed on for Vardy, whose goal-bound strike hit Sean St Ledger before the Tigers scrambled clear.

As the rain came down, City responded. Robert Koren's neat pass put Simpson through, but he was thwarted by an off-side flag.

Moments later the Tigers were level. Corry Evans picked out Sone Aluko and his cross-cum-shot from the right side of the box was turned in by the ever-alert Simpson.

Nugent restored Leicester's lead three minutes before half-time. Ahmed Elmohamady cleared Ben Marshall's effort on the line, only for French winger Anthony Knockaert to keep the ball alive and cross for Nugent, who headed in from close range.

Pearson's side raced out of the blocks after the interval and should have made it 3-1 when Vardy was put in the clear by Knockaert, but the former Fleetwood striker put his shot too close to Amos and it was clipped behind for a corner.

It served as a wake-up call for Bruce's men, who soon called Kasper Schmeichel into action as Aluko's 25-yard thunderbolt had the Dane scrambling across goal to tip wide.

Bruce introduced Nick Proschwitz from the bench for the final 12 minutes, but it was the hosts who threatened next. Alex Bruce handled on the edge of the box,but Knockaert's free-kick was plucked out of the air by Amos.

As City tried to break clear, the assistant referee adjudged the ball to have cross the sideline, and Bruce's reaction saw him sent to the stands. The Tigers boss later apologised to officials.

Pearson had cause for complaint next when six minutes was added on and City almost grabbed a dramatic leveller. Elmohamady's header from a corner was destined for the back of the net, only for Knockaert to clear off the line.

But Martyn Waghorn picked up the loose ball, found fellow substitute Lloyd Dyer and he picked out Nugent, who slotted past Amos to seal the win.