Hull City exited the Carabao Cup in Round One after a 2-1 defeat at home to Doncaster Rovers.
Despite Óscar Estupiñán netting the game’s opener, a brace from George Miller saw Doncaster progress to the next round.
Liam Rosenior served his one-match touchline ban for the fixture, with the Head Coach making eight changes to his starting XI. Only Matt Ingram, Adama Traoré and Rúben Vinagre kept their starting places from the Sky Bet Championship opener against Norwich City, with the latter making his home debut.
One of the eight changes made an immediate impact for the team as he opened the scoring after three minutes. After Jason Lokilo, who was also making his debut for the Tigers, was denied twice in quick succession, Estupiñán fired home at the back post to open his account for the 2023/24 campaign.
Twelve minutes later, the visitors equalised as Adama Traoré was dispossessed inside City’s half. After an original shot by Luke Molyneaux was deflected into the air, the rebound fell kindly to Miller to volley home past the dive of Matt Ingram.
Both teams created half-chances to find the all-important lead, with Lokilo taking aim from range. However, his effort deflected behind off Doncaster captain Tom Anderson. From a free-kick routine, Traoré floated the ball towards the back post for Cyrus Christie. Estupiñán tried to divert the ball goalwards, but the finish went narrowly wide.
Lokilo then saw another attempt blocked before Ingram produced a great save in first-half stoppage time. A lofted ball was found by Ayodeji Sotona, with the winger seeing his effort just outside of six-yard area blocked by the onrushing City goalkeeper.
In the second half, Estupiñán saw his header brilliantly saved at the near post by former Manchester City goalkeeper Ian Lawlor. Ath the other end, Sotona fired over from range.
Past the hour mark, Doncaster took the lead as good passing play on the edge of the penalty area saw Miller rifle his first-time finish into the top corner.
Possession
39%Shots
17Shots On Target
3Corners
8Fouls
122
0
Cards
5
0
The Tigers searched for an equaliser as Vaughn Covil saw his effort blocked. Meanwhile, Doncaster wasted two great chances to extend their lead with both their attempts going over the bar.
In the latter stages of the game, great link-up between the substitutes of Liam Delap and Ozan Tufan created the opportunity for Estupiñán, but the Colombian was denied his brace with a good block save from Lawlor.
The Doncaster goalkeeper produced another brilliant save as Regan Slater’s clever free-kick found Tufan, but Lawlor spread himself well to ricochet the ball away.
In stoppage-time, Xavier Simons played a diagonal pass towards the back post for Vaughn Covil. The winger headed the ball back across for Estupiñán who headed over from six yards.
Attendance: 6,577
Hull City: Ingram, Christie (Coyle 70'), Smith, McLoughlin, Rúben Vinagre (Covil 45'), Lokilo, Traoré (Slater 57'), Simons, Fleming (Tufan 70'), Connolly (Delap 57'), Estupiñán
Subs: Greaves, Jones, Lo-Tutala, Sandat
Doncaster: Lawlor, Bailey, Olowu, Anderson, Maxwell, Sotona (Westbrooke 78'), Broadbent (Rowe 70'), Biggins, Roberts, Molyneux, Miller (Ironside 86')
Subs: Taylor, Long, Senior, Griffiths, Faulkner, Watson
Watch extended highlights of Hull City 1-2 Doncaster Rovers on Tigers+
