HT Portsmouth 1-1 Hull: Smith cancels out Folan opener
Published 16:00 20/03/10 By MirrorFootball
Portsmouth forward Tommy Smith marked his return to the starting XI with the equaliser against Hull in the first half at Fratton Park.
With both teams threatened with relegation in the Barclays Premier League, Iain Dowie's first game as Hull boss got off to a positive start when Caleb Folan's touch diverted Craig Fagan's shot past David James.
Smith levelled from close range after Frederic Piquionne met Jamie O'Hara's corner and put the ball in the six-yard area.
Portsmouth boss Avram Grant made five changes to his starting XI but it was still a strong-looking side at Fratton Park.
After having nine points deducted for going into administration, Grant had considered what strength of team to select, given they have an FA Cup semi-final on the horizon and their punishment virtually condemns them to relegation.
However, England goalkeeper David James recovered from a calf injury and key players such as Jamie O'Hara, Frederic Piquionne and Nadir Belhadj remained.
Hull boss Iain Dowie, in his first game in charge of the club, replaced the suspended George Boateng, the injured Kamil Zayatte and Jozy Altidore with Kevin Kilbane, Paul McShane and Caleb Folan.
Hull travelled to Pompey without an away win in the Premier League in their campaign - but Dowie's presence in the dug-out almost earned them a change of fortune as early as the fourth minute.
Kilbane floated a cross from the left to the back post and Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink looped a header against the upright, with Folan not quick enough with his reactions to tap home the rebound.
Pompey's first effort on goal, meanwhile, came from a Marc Wilson free-kick that curled just wide of Boaz Myhill's post.
Quincy Owusu-Abeyie had earned that free-kick. He also embarked on a run that ended with him tripping over his own feet, then later he gathered his composure and had an effort that required a block.
Hull's opener came after Jimmy Bullard had two long-range efforts, the second of which deflected off Mokoena.
Bullard's corner was cleared by Piquionne to the edge of the area where Fagan's shot, helped by Folan's deflection, wrongfooted James. Both Hull players wheeled off in celebration, although the identity of the scorer mattered little to Dowie.
Pompey's equaliser came eight minutes from the break, also from a corner. From O'Hara's delivery, Piquionne met the ball again and this time returned it to the danger zone, where Smith prodded home.
