Hull City 1 Bury 1

Simon Johnson

Hull City took the lead for the third time in four league games so far this season when loan signing Simon Johnson put them ahead in the 36th minute. But they again lost their way and Bury were the better side for the second half and fully deserved their 64th-minute equaliser from striker Pawel Abbott.

Pre-season promotion favourites Hull City continue to blow hot and cold as they search for their first win of the season.

Manager Jan Molby rang the changes and City were the better side for tmuch of the first half, but battling Bury hit back strongly and wre well worth their share of the points.

The Tigers went close when defender Carl Regan hammered a shot just over and took the lead in the 36th-minute through loan signing Johnson.

Johnson, on loan from Leeds, scored for the second successive game when he forced the ball past keeper Glynn Garner from an awkward angle after Bury defender Matthew Barrass had failed to deal with a long crossfield ball from Ben Petty.

The Shakers came into the game towards the half-time break and forced Hull back in the second half when they were far more dominant and positive in midfield.

Hull keeper Matthew Glennon had to dive at Abbott's feet after a long ball by Jamie Stuart had caused problems and it came as little surprise when Bury drew level in the 64th minute.

Two other loan players masterminded the equaliser. Glennon was second best as Terry Dunfield from Manchester City tried to force the ball home and Abbott, from Preston swept it in when it ran loose.

Almost at once Bury were close to a winner when Dunfield shot over after Glennon had spilled a shot from George Clegg.

City's only second half response came from a header by Mark Greaves but Abbott popped up to clear off the line.

And Molby was unhappy about his side's inability to keep going for the duration when he said: "For 35 minutes we played well, we played at a tempo and looked as if we wanted to win the game. But for the other 55 minutes we were petrified and looked more like rabbits caught in headlights."

Bury boss Andy Preece felt his side might have snatched a win.

"Four times we were in behind Hull, but we didn't have a shot on goal. We were over elaborate," he said.