Mark Cullen bagged his 27th goal of the season but it wasn't enough for Hull City Juniors to claim all three points as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Grimsby Town at Cheapside on Saturday.

Billy Russell made two changes to the side that beat Shrewsbury Town in the FA Youth Cup. With the absence of Danny Wilkinson the Tigers reverted to a back four with Tom Bennett coming in at right back and Dean Deagle dropping back to left back. Ray Ford came in to partner Cullen up front, with Joe Fox switching to midfield and Joe Cooper dropping to the bench.

There were few chances in the opening stages but the few that there were came the way of the hosts. Josh Fuller fired wide after Harry Deane's corner was only half cleared and Bill Ward was forced into a good save to keep out Ross Gardner's low drive.

The Mariners then had a great chance to take the lead but Fuller somehow managed to head over from virtually underneath the crossbar.

The Tigers didn't manage a shot at goal until the half hour mark and inevitably it came from Cullen, but his right foot strike from 25 yards was wayward.

The City top scorer then saw a left foot drive held by Mariners keeper Rob Peet, but when he had another chance in the final minute of the half he made no mistake.

Ford did well to feed the ball through to Cullen and he held off the challenge of a defender and tucked a right foot shot past the keeper and into the net.

Half Time: Grimsby Town Juniors 0 Hull City Juniors 1

As in the first period, it was Grimsby who created the early chances. Fuller cut the ball back from the right and Kieran Smith's shot was kept out by Ward with his left foot.

The Mariners drew level in the 65th minute when Lee Wright appeared to be impeded as he cleared for the Tigers. The referee allowed play to continue and Andi Thanoj struck a right foot shot from 25 yards into the top corner giving Ward no chance.

Grimsby could have snatched the lead when Deane met Gardner's cross at the far post but he blasted his shot high over the bar.

Fuller then caused the Tigers defence more problems with a cross from the left being beaten away by Ward, and another from the right being deflected against the post.

In the final ten minutes City finally created their first chances of the half, but Cullen volleyed wide, Richard Overment headed over from Danny Emerton's corner and Conor Townend stabbed a shot wide from a Fox free kick.

Grimsby Town: Rob Peet, Bradley Wood, Lawrence Heward, Harry Deane, Mark Gray, Dallas Moore, Josh Fuller, Andi Thanoj, Kieran Smith (Sam Mulready 66), Nathan Dixon, Ross Gardner.

Subs Not Used: Josh Freeman, Ryan O'Loughlin, James Etherington, Liam Dickens.

Hull City: Bill Ward, Tom Bennett (Joe Cooper 79), Dean Deagle, Joe Fox, Sonny Bradley, Lee Wright, Danny Emerton, Gavan Holohan, Mark Cullen, Ray Ford (Richard Overment 66), Conor Townend.

Subs Not Used: Oli West, Adam White, Joel Shortland.