Hull City's inability to give themselves back-to-back wins proved their downfall again as they produced a dismal display to lose 1-0 at relegation rivals Cardiff City.

City struggled to fashion any attacking threat in the first period, despite having the best part of 70 per cent of the ball. Not a single shot on goal for a team who almost looked full of fear going forward, and they were punished early in the second half when Callum Robinson's deflected volley nestled in the back of the net to give the hosts the lead.

The result is a real hammer blow to their survival hopes, especially after winning at Sunderland, they never looked like repeating that performance with one devoid of any intensity, drive or attacking threat, against a side in Cardiff, who were there for the taking but were largely comfortable throughout.

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Selles made two changes to the side that roared to victory at the Stadium of Light on Saturday with one of those seeing Louie Barry sidelined through injury, and the prognosis on that knee injury he picked up on Wearside is not thought to be too positive. His place on the left side went to Lincoln, who replaced him at the weekend. Elsewhere, there was no Steven Alzate in the starting line-up, Regan Slater coming in to replace him. Fin Burns (calf) and Abu Kamara (illness) were both restored to the squad.

The most interesting moment of a quiet opening 15 minutes was Regan Slater having his ankles clipped, and then stopping to pick up the ball expecting a free-kick, only to see the referee give it against him for handball.

City's cruel luck with injuries continued with in-form Eliot Matazo forced off after 19 minutes having been fouled. Straight away as the Belgian ace went down, he indicated to the bench and after a spell of treatment to his knee, limped off to be replaced by Gustavo Puerta.

Callum Robinson on his return was enjoying a greater influence on proceedings and saw two tame efforts held by Pandur.

A lengthy spell of possession saw Slater slide in Joseph inside right channel and he touched past the advancing Horvath before going to the floor without any touch from the American.

The visitors enjoyed the best part of 70 per cent of the ball in a drab first period, but were unable to fashion a single effort on goal, with the game crying out for somebody to grab it by the scruff of the neck.

And it was the hosts who did that and took an early lead in the second half. Slater was penalised for a foul, and booked, and though the free-kick from Perry NG was turned behind by Pandur, the Tigers didn't recover, and after the hosts kept the ball alive, Robinson directed in a deflected volley.

On the hour, Selles made a triple change with Joao Pedro, Abu Kamara and Steven Alzate coming on for Joseph, Lincoln and Slater in a bid to get back into the contest.

The hosts made two changes of their own with Chris Willock and goalscorer Robinson going off and Isaak Davies and Alex Robertson on.

McLoughlin was hurt and unable to continue, but while he was off the pitch, Kamara fashioned a chance for Pedro, but then striker couldn't reach the cross.

Crooks and Robertson were booked for shouting at each other, as City's frustration grew and the clock ticked down.

Jones should have equalised six minutes from time when he headed Kamara's cross straight at the goalkeeper from six yards, and then Crooks poked wide via a deflection which wasn't given as a corner.

In truth, City could have few complaints about this defeat, and it was a damaging one. And one they'll regret for not turning up and performing to the level we've seen.

Cardiff City: Horvath; Ng, Chambers, Fish, O'Dowda; Rinomhota, Mannsverk; Ashford, Robinson, Willock; Salech. Subs: Turner, Lawlor, Giles, Bagan, Robertson, Colwill, El Ghazi, Meite, Davies,

Hull City: Pandur, McLoughlin, Hughes, Jones, Coyle, Slater, Crooks, Lincoln, Matazo, Gelhardt, Joseph. Subs: Lo-Tutala, Pedro, Egan, Burns, Alzate, Puerta, Drameh, Amrabat, Kamara.

Referee: Thomas Kirk

Attendance: