Hull City have it all to do in the return leg at the KC stadium after falling behind to a Hans Vanakan goal after Alan McGregor made a costly mistake to allow the striker in.

Steve Bruce rang the changes in for the Europa league tie making 9 from the 1-0 victory against QPR. There were appearances for David Meyler, Yannick Sagbo and George Boyd as well as competitive debut for Harry Maguire after his transfer from Sheffield United. The first half started brightly for the Tigers with their comfortable passing which allowed Sagbo to get in on goal but his scuffed shot was blocked off the line. Hull never looked like conceding for the first half and with Sone Aluko creating a half-chance with some clever footwork it was looking more likely that the away side would break the deadlock.

However, Hull’s lack of clinical finishing played to Lokeren’s gain. In the second half the Belgian outfit grew into the game and when Goalkeeper Alan McGregor gifted the ball to Vanakan he duly applied the finish much to the delight of the home crowd. Shortly after the lead could’ve increased further if not for the saves of the aforementioned McGregor who made up for his earlier mistake. Chasing a goal Steve Bruce brought on Tom Ince and Nikica Jelavic which created a new incentive on Hull’s front line. Ince was constantly causing problems and Lokeren keeper Verhulst had to come to the aid of his side. After some clever wingplay Aluko managed to gain some space and his squared pass was met firmly by David Meyler who’s shot was saved by Verhulst after it looked goal bound. Chances also fell to James Chester and Harry Maguire but nobody from Hull could apply the critical finish that would’ve given them vital away goal.

Steve Bruce after the game talked about concentration levels and how on the night they had slipped. It ultimately seemed that his squad selection may have had a large influence on the game and it’s something he will certainly be thinking about when it comes to the home leg next Thursday where the Tigers will have to overturn the deficit in order to progress.