Hull City Reserves opened their Barclays Premier Reserve League North season with a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Wednesday evening.
David Ball's 34th-minute penalty was all that separated the teams on a wet and windy night at Church Road.
Apart from the first team experience of Matt Duke and Bryan Hughes, it was a young Tigers side that took to the field.
And they suffered a blow in only the seventh minute when right back Steve Gardner went down close to the touchline with a knee problem. The City captain tried to carry on but went down again a minute later and was replaced by Dean Deagle. Gardner later left the ground on crutches.
The change forced a reshuffle with Deagle slotting in on the left of the back four, Nathan Hanley moving up into midfield and John Leonard dropping to right back.
The visitors looked to take advantage of any lingering uncertainty following the change and Robert Mak's pass looked to have sent Ball through on goal, but Danny Wilkinson produced a great covering block to see off the danger.
Manchester City were creating all the chances in the opening half with Ball looking a particular threat and Duke had to get down low to save the striker's shot from the edge of the box.
Alex Nimely then fired over from 18 yards after a promising run before the crucial moment of the game came 11 minutes before the break.
Gre Cunningham's burst forward from left back took him into the Tigers' box before a tangle of legs with Leonard saw the man in blue go to ground. The referee pointed to the spot and Ball made no mistake from 12 yards, sending Duke the wrong way.
In first half added time, Duke saved from Nimely before the Tigers' first attempt of the night saw Ryan Kendall fire over from a Hughes pass.
Half Time: Tigers 0-1 Man City
Having spent much of the first half operating a 4-5-1 formation, the Tigers switched to 4-4-2 at the start of the second period with Mark Cullen coming on to replace Danny Emerton.
And it was Cullen who was to have the best chance of the night. Finding himself through on goal, the striker looked to take the ball around advancing goalkeeper Gunnar Neilson, but a poor touch saw the ball escape his control and the chance went begging.
With the rain now pouring down, conditions were tricky for both sides and visiting substitute Adam Clayton was booked for a late challenge on Hanley.
Mak dragged a good chance wide with ten minutes to go before Duke ensured the score stayed at 1-0 with impressive saves from Ball and James Poole in the final few minutes.
The Reserves are back in action next week when they make the trip to reigning champions Sunderland on Tuesday night.
Tigers: Matt Duke, Steve Gardner (Dean Deagle 8), Sonny Bradley, Daniel Wilkinson, Nathan Hanley, Darragh Satelle, Bryan Hughes, John Leonard, Daniel Emerton (Mark Cullen 46), Gavan Holohan, Ryan Kendall.
Subs Not Used: Billy Ward, Richard Overment, Yann Ekra.
Man City: Gunnar Neilson, Javan Vidal, Gre Cunningham, Ben Mee, Clayton McDonald, Scott Kay, Robert Mak, Paul Marshall, David Ball, Alex Nimely, James Poole.
Subs: Tobias Johansen, Dedryck Boyata, Abdi Ibrahim, Adam Clayton, Andrew Tutte.
