Hull City's bright start to life in the Premier League continued with a 1-1 draw at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers fell behind to a Jason Roberts strike on 38 minutes, but Richard Garcia nodded his side level just a minute later to earn a point the away side were well worthy of.

George Boateng failed in his bid to recover from a thigh injury as Phil Brown made two changes to his starting line-up. Dean Marney came in for the injured Boateng while Craig Fagan was handed a start in place of Nick Barmby, with Garcia switching flanks to operate on the left.

Barmby was handed a place on the bench with Wayne Brown coming into the squad to cover for the absence of Boateng.

Blackburn were unchanged from last weekend's win at Everton, with Beverley-born Paul Robinson starting in goal for the home side.

The referee for the game was 25-year-old Stuart Attwell, who was taking charge of his first Premier League Match.

The away end of Ewood Park was a sea of black and amber at kick off, with thousands of City fans having made the journey to see the Club's first ever away game in the top flight. Even a section of the top tier had to be opened to accomodate the travelling masses.

After defending an early Blackburn corner, the Tigers broke at pace with Marney finding Geovanni. However, with the Brazilian approaching the opposition's penalty area, the referee stopped play after Fagan pulled back Stephen Warnock as he tried to keep up with the attack.

Ian Ashbee needed treatment in the ninth minute after coming off second best in a challenge with David Dunn, but despite limping away from the scene, he was soon back in the game.

The first shot of the game came a minute later when Steven Reid fired a low shot straight at Boaz Myhill after Roque Santa Cruz had caused problems for Anthony Gardner.

On 19 minutes, a free kick from Blackburn dropped to the edge of City's box where Mortem Gamst Pedersen fired a shot just past the angle of post and bar.

The home side were getting on top and won a corner in the 23rd minute. Pedersen delivered but Myhill claimed at his near post.

Myhill then launched a City counter attack with Marlon King playing Marney through into the box. With the option of shooting or squaring to Fagan, Marney opted for the latter, but in his attempt to stay onside, Fagan couldn't connect and a glorious opportunity went begging.

King was gifted possession by a Blackburn error on the half hour before seeing his shot deflected behind. Andy Dawson delivered the corner and when Michael Turner's header fell to Marney on the edge of the box, his effort was blocked.

Blackburn took the lead on 38 minutes when Reid played Roberts through. The striker looked well offside, but kept his cool to finish past Myhill.

But the lead lasted just a minute. Fagan picked up possession on the right mid-way inside the Blackburn half. He hit a long, deep cross over to the left where Garcia looped a header over Robinson and in off the far post.

Ashbee picked up a yellow card for a foul on Roberts moments later as City looked to stay on level terms going into the break.

Half Time: Tigers 1-1 Blackburn

Blackburn made a change at the break with Brett Emerton replacing David Dunn.

It was an even start to the second half, although Emerton made his intentions clear with a couple of surging runs down the right flank.

City suffered a blow just before the hour when they lost the services of Dawson. Just seconds after the restart, Dawson had picked up a knock in a challenge and despite trying to carry on, he eventually made way for Bernard Mendy. That meant a switch to left back for Sam Ricketts with Mendy playing on the right.

That was soon followed by the introduction of last weekend's match-winner against Fulham, Caleb Folan, in place of Geovanni.

Blackburn were once again starting to exert some pressure on the City defence with Santa Cruz firing just over and Roberts seeing a shot well blocked.

City's final change came with 12 minutes remaining as Barmby replaced Garcia.

By now, the Tigers were looking the better side and won a corner with three minutes remaining. Marney's delivery was flicked on by Folan at the near post, but a further connection by a black and amber shirt couldn't be made.

With the game in added time, Folan saw his volley saved by Robinson before Ricketts' low shot was claimed by the Rovers keeper. At the other end, Pedersen fired narrowly over the bar.

The final whistle was greeted with cheers by City fans, who had once again witnessed a fully committed display from their side.

Tigers: Boaz Myhill, Sam Ricketts, Michael Turner, Anthony Gardner, Andy Dawson (Mendy 59), Craig Fagan, Dean Marney, Ian Ashbee, Richard Garcia (Barmby 78), Geovanni (Folan 65), Marlon King.

Subs: Matt Duke, Bernard Mendy, Wayne Brown, Peter Halmosi, Nick Barmby, Caleb Folan, Dean Windass.

Blackburn: Paul Robinson, Andre Ooijer, Stephen Warnock, Christopher Samba, Ryan Nelson, David Dunn (Emerton 46), Roque Santa Cruz, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Aaron Mokoena (Tugay 67), Steven Reid, Jason Roberts (McCarthy 81).

Subs: Jason Brown, Tugay, Brett Emerton, Benni McCarthy, Danni Simpson, Keith Treacy, Matt Derbyshire.

Referee: Mr S. Attwell

Attendance: 23,439