Greg Luer's memorable first-half strike was enough to give Hull City a slender 1-0 victory over visitors Rochdale in the second round of the League Cup this evening.
Hull began the game in a positive fashion and they almost went ahead through Ryan Taylor, who saw his free kick fly just a few inches too high of the Rochdale goal.
The home side did not have to wait too long to find an opening goal and it arrived in the ninth minute through Luer, who drilled a memorable effort from distance into the bottom-left corner past Josh Lillis.
Rochdale produced very little in front of goal, although Reuben Noble-Lazarus let fly from range before seeing his effort kept out by a calm Eldin Jakupovic.
City frontman Abel Hernandez seemed to be in impressive form in the first half, and he nearly doubled the hosts' lead on two occasions only to skew his shots wide.
The Tigers started the second period in much the same fashion as the first, as Sam Clucas went close alongside Taylor.
Dale's lacklustre showing in the final third continued well into the final 45 minutes, but Andrew Cannon sought to inspire his side with a well-struck shot that forced another firm save from Jakupovic.
The midfielder's effort seemed to spur his side on and they almost found a leveller with the clock ticking down, although Rhys Bennett could not make the most of his chance in the middle of the Hull box.
Cannon continued to cause problems for the Hull defence and he wasted a wonderful chance late on to earn extra time for Rochdale, leaving the Tigers to cling on for a close-fought 1-0 victory.
Christopher Dodd
