A short trip down the M18 to Doncaster Rovers brought little reward for Hull City as they went down 3-1 at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Although there was a slight improvement in City's performance, and despite dominating territorially, defensive frailties continued to show as Nick Barmby's early leveller proved to be in vain.

With manager Nigel Pearson taken ill on the eve of the game and admitted to hospital, assistant Craig Shakespeare took charge of the team. 

In the Tigers' first meeting with Rovers at Championship level since 1956, Barmby and Mark Cullen made their first league starts of the season.

John Bostock played just behind Cullen with Barmby and Richard Garcia operating on the flanks.

The referee was Lee Mason - the brother of Ex-Tiger Andy Mason.

Doncaster took the lead after just 61 seconds.

A cross from the right found Martin Woods and his header looped over Matt Duke and in.

City were struggling to settle down and Kamil Zayatte's foul gave the home side a free kick 20 yards out on eight minutes.

Woods hit it left-footed and forced Duke to beat the ball away.

The Tigers were level a minute later.

Robert Koren produced a delightful through ball for Barmby, who beat the offside trap and finished past Neil Sullivan.

It was the 100th club goal of the former England international's career.

Barmby was almost through again on ten minutes, but Shelton Martis eased him off the ball while at the other end, some last-ditch defending from Nolberto Solano and a fine save from Duke denied Doncaster a second.

Some slack play from Sullivan presented City with a chance on 20 minutes, but the Doncaster goalkeeper recovered to push away Bostock's shot.

Zayatte's error almost let Billy Sharp in eight minutes later but when the Doncaster striker got a shot away, Liam Cooper produced a fine block.

Ian Ashbee's mistake proved costly for Andy Dawson on 34 minutes as the City left back was forced to bring Sharp down on the edge of the box.

Dawson was booked before Cullen charged down James Coppinger's free kick.

Zayatte was also booked for a foul on Woods.

Doncaster were awarded a penalty two minutes before half time for an apparent handball following a corner by Cooper, who was also booked.

Sharp took it and sent Duke the wrong way to put the home side back in front.

Half Time: Tigers 1-2 Doncaster

A half chance came City's way shortly after the break when Barmby moved into the box, but he was forced wide and his eventual cross to the far post was too long.

It was a bright start from City and Solano's run brought a corner on 54 minutes.

Bostock delivered, but Garcia got his feet in a tangle when the ball dropped to him and the chance went away.

Bostock picked up a yellow card on the hour for a foul on Doncaster substitute Sam Hird.

Barmby went close to a second after making a clever run to get on the end of Solano's long ball, but Sullivan kept the header out.

That was Barmby's last action as City made a double change.

Jay Simpson replaced Barmby while Tom Cairney came on for Bostock.

There was little time for that to have an affect as Doncaster stretched their lead with 20 minutes to play.

Woods was given time on the right edge of the box to cross for Coppinger to volley home.

Koren's run brought City a free kick in a good position four minutes later but Solano's curler was held by Sullivan.

A fine save from Duke prevented Sharp adding a fourth as the game became stretched before Woods drove one just wide.

A lucky bounce sent Cullen racing towards the box eight minutes from time, but his weak shot from 18 yards was easily saved.

The referee, who had certainly turned out to be a 'homer', waved away City's appeals for a penalty when Garcia's shot was blocked by a raised arm with a corner as good as it got.

City almost pulled one back in added time when Dawson's cross was met with a powerful header by Garcia, but James O'Connor somehow managed to clear off the line.

Tigers (4-4-1-1) Matt Duke; Nolberto Solano, Kamil Zayatte, Liam Cooper, Andy Dawson; Richard Garcia, Ian Ashbee [captain], Robert Koren, Nick Barmby (Simpson 66); John Bostock (Cairney 66); Mark Cullen.

Subs: Mark Oxley, Anthony Gardner, Kevin Kilbane, Will Atkinson, Tom Cairney, Jamie Devitt, Jay Simpson.

Bookings: Dawson 34, Zayatte 39, Cooper 40, Bostock 61.

Doncaster Rovers (4-4-1-1) Neil Sullivan; James O'Connor, Shelton Martis, Adam Lockwood (Hird 46), George Friend; John Oster (Shiels 70), Brian Stock (Mason 88), Simon Gillett, Martin Woods; James Coppinger; Billy Sharp.

Subs: Mustapha Dumbuya, Waide Fairhurst, Mark Wilson, Sam Hird, Gary Woods, Dean Shiels, Ryan Mason.

Bookings: Nil