The Tigers extended their pre-season unbeaten run to three at Grimsby Town, though they failed to find the back of the net in what turned out to be a frustrating night in the final third.
Captain for the night Robert Koren came closest to breaking the deadlock when rattling the crossbar from distance with half time approaching, though the game was destined to end goalless.
Although faced with several injury concerns ahead of tonight’s match manager Steve Bruce once again fielded a strong starting line-up, and it was City who started on the front foot with Robert Koren and the in-form Jay Simpson both seeing long range efforts flash wide of the post inside the first ten minutes.
Grimsby’s first opportunity of merit came on the 15 minute mark, when a powerful Andy Cook header was well saved by Eldin Jakupovic.
With Chances at a premium, the Tigers were largely restricted to long-range efforts. Koren saw another strike go wayward on the half hour mark before a Jamie Devitt volley was tipped beyond the post by Grimsby trialist Greg Fleming five minutes later.
With five minutes remaining of the first half Koren got his eye in, and this time only the width of the crossbar denied him after a trademark effort from distance.
The half-time interval saw a single substitution for City as Conor Townsend came on for Devitt, returning to Blundell Park after a successful season long loan with the Mariners.
On 58 minutes the Tigers produced some neat link-up play as Aaron Mclean slotted a neat ball through to strike partner Simpson, whose effort was cleared of the line by Town defender Ian Miller.
Grimsby’s best opportunity of the night came with 20 minutes to go, when a powerful Greg Pearson header was cleared off the line by Tom Cairney.
With 19 minutes remaining, a Tigers substitution sparked the biggest cheer of the night, as new signing Nick Proschwitz came on to make his debut.
The German striker impressed with some neat touches, and with five minutes to go he skipped his way into the area, only to see his curling effort drift wide of the post.
That was the last effort of note as City gained another 90 minutes of match fitness in a busy pre-season schedule.