Celebrations scuppered by stalemate
Hull were unable to provide any kind of celebration on their 10th anniversary since moving into the KC Stadium following a goalless draw with fellow promotion chasers Leicester.
Not even the return of former Tigers boss Nigel Pearson was enough to enliven a cold and damp afternoon on Humberside as both sides failed to live up to their lofty positions in the npower Championship table.
Jay Simpson saw a shot cleared off the line by Richie De Laet in the first half, but otherwise Pearson engineered a rearguard to frustrate his second-placed former employers.
It was the Foxes third successive match without scoring, highlighting Pearson's desire for a striker in next month's transfer window, but it was a point earned for the visitors after back-to-back defeats.
Pearson left the KC Stadium in acrimonious circumstance to return to Leicester 13 months ago and the home fans took little time to remind of their antipathy towards him - directing a couple of derisory chants as their team made the best of the opening exchanges.
Simpson turned a weak side-footed shot wide when well placed before Paul Konchesky was forced into an awkward headed clearance inside his own six-yard box.
Leicester were hardly on the back-foot though and, with David Nugent playing on his own in front of a five-man midfield, they began to settle into a period of possession.
It prompted the Foxes' best spell of the first half and midfielder Anthony Knockaert should have rewarded them only to waste a hat-trick of chances inside a 10-minute period.
The Frenchman twice shot wide of the left-hand post before spurning the best of his opportunities with a scuffed effort after Konchesky pulled a cross back to the penalty spot.
Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic then needed a strong arm to keep out Danny Drinkwater, after Knockaert this time opted to pass, but the away side's attacking vigour soon subsided.
Instead they were left attempting to quell the increasing threat of Sone Aluko, back in the starting XI, as he began to busy himself in the hole behind the striker.
After Abdoulaye Faye headed a cross at the back post into the side netting, Aluko jinked his way into space only for Kasper Schmeichel to expertly tip away his low shot.
Aluko set up the best chance of the first 45 minutes moments later when he snuck a pass behind the defence for Simpson. The striker looked certain to score when he rounded Schmeichel but Richie De Laet was alive to the danger and got back to clear off the line.
It was De Laet's last major involvement as he was replaced at the break by Liam Moore who survived a nervous moment shortly after as appeals for handball were waved away.
Leicester almost stole ahead against the run of play on the hour when Faye sliced an attempted clearance just wide of his own goal.
Chances were at a premium in the second half, though, as the match deteriorated in driving rain.
Ben Marshall almost fooled Jakupovic on 72 minutes with a well-hit 20-yarder before the keeper made heavy work of keeping out Paul Gallagher's deflected free-kick.
Hull made a late push for the points but Schmeichel twice denied Simpson, latterly when the striker headed straight into his arms at close quarters.
Source: PA
Source: PA