Hull City are out of the Carling Cup after a 2-1 defeat at Brentford on Tuesday night.

Mark Cullen had given Championship City an early lead but that was soon cancelled out before the League One Londoners grabbed a late winner.

City made four changes with Nolberto Solano, Richard Garcia, Jamie Devitt and Cullen coming into the side.

Kamil Zayatte, Andy Dawson, Ian Ashbee and John Bostock made way.

Kevin Kilbane captained the side from left back with City playing a 4-4-2 formation.

Ex-Tiger Gary Alexander started up front for Brentford while, another former City striker, Nicky Forster was on the bench.

The Tigers made a great start, taking the lead inside six minutes.

Cullen played the ball out to the right where Richard Garcia was in space.

His cross led to a lack of communication at the far post between two Brentford defenders and, when the ball dropped to Cullen, he produced a clinical finish from ten yards.

Solano's free kick a minute later also hit the target, but this time goalkeeper Richard Lee was there to keep the ball out of the net.

City were looking good and Robert Koren's shot from 20 yards warmed the hands of Lee in the 13th minute.

But from a 20th-minute free kick, Brentford were level.

Liam Cooper was harshly penalised for a foul on Charlie MacDonald and Robbie Simpson curled home the free kick from just outside the box.

City were also forced into a change with Paul McShane leaving the field after taking a kick to the back of the leg.

Anthony Gardner was his replacement.

The game had now evened itself out with the home crowd sensing a little vulnerability in the City back line.

Cullen picked up a booking for a late challenge on Craig Woodman as City looked to up the tempo with the game moving towards half time.

Half Time: Tigers 1-1 Brentford

City went close four minutes into the second half when Koren picked up Cullen's pass, but the Slovenian's shot from 20 yards came back off the crossbar.

Devitt was booked on 58 minutes for a foul on Simpson and in his bid to impress.

Cullen was also becoming frustrated and walking a disciplinary tightrope.

Brentford should have been in front on 66 minutes when Alexander was left completely unmarked to meet Woodman's corner, but Matt Duke produced a superb save to push the ball wide.

City's second change came with 20 minutes remaining as Nick Barmby replaced Jay Simpson.

Tom Cairney went close to putting City back in front from a free kick on the edge of the box but saw his effort well saved by Lee.

Myles Weston's run down the left ended with his attempted cross coming back off Duke's bar as the home side went in search of a winner.

Cullen had a goal ruled out for offside eight minutes from time.

It was a close decision that went in favour of the home team.

Brentford took the lead three minutes from time.

MacDonald was sent racing away down the right and when he crossed, the onrushing Marcus Bean produced a diving header into the net.

City had one last chance in added time when Koren went down 20 yards out.

Solano's effort was palmed down by Lee and as Barmby looked to make the most of the rebound he was flagged offside.

Tigers (4-4-2): Matt Duke; Nolberto Solano, Paul McShane (Gardner 22), Liam Cooper, Kevin Kilbane [captain], Richard Garcia, Robert Koren, Tom Cairney, Jamie Devitt; Jay Simpson (Barmby 70), Mark Cullen.

Subs: Mark Oxley, Andy Dawson, Anthony Gardner, Peter Halmosi, Nick Barmby, John Bostock, Will Atkinson.

Bookings: Cullen 40, Devitt 58.

Brentford (4-4-2): Richard Lee; Kevin O'Connor, Karleigh Osbourne, Leon Legge, Craig Woodman; Robbie Simpson, Marcus Bean, Toumani Diagouraga, Myles Weston; Charlie MacDonald, Gary Alexander.

Subs: David Hunt, Pim Balkestein, Sam Saunders, Nicky Forster, Carl Cort, Michael Spillane, Simon Moore.

Booking: Bean 69