Jason Steele 6

Came racing out of his goal for Hull’s opener but the margin of defeat would have been wider had he not denied Chuba Akpom from point-blank range.

Ben Marshall 7*

Rovers’ best and most dangerous player, the right-back forced Allan McGregor into two good saves and never stopped trying to make things happen.

Shane Duffy 5

Stand-in skipper made more clearances and interceptions than any other Rovers player but got some basic passes wrong and struggled against the Tigers’ excellent strikeforce.

Elliott Ward 5

Like his centre-back partner, did things right, but could not cut out the pass that led to Hull’s first goal and wasted a golden opportunity to equalise.

Tommy Spurr 5

Was having a decent game until his error paved the way for the deadlock to be broken. Like so many of his team-mates, lost confidence thereafter.

Corry Evans 7

One of only two players who could be pleased with their performance, the former Tigers midfielder tested McGregor during a half-hearted rally that proved too little, too late.

Darragh Lenihan 5

Unable to maintain the high performances level he produced against Middlesbrough and Oxford United, the youngster was at fault for Hull’s second goal. But he’ll learn.

Craig Conway 5

Drafted in at the last minute after Hope Akpan fell ill during the warm-up, he kept the ball well but it is clear his talents are best suited as an out-and-out winger.

Jordi Gomez 6

Started well and everything Rovers did in the first half went through the playmaker but his influence waned as the match wore on.

Tony Watt 5

Making his home debut, like Gomez and Ward, but was taken off after the Tigers went in front. His replacement Chris Brown fared no better.

Simeon Jackson 5

Worked hard but, like Watt and Brown, never went close to troubling Hull’s bigger and more powerful backline on his first league start for the club.

SUBS

Chris Brown for Watt (56).

Elliott Bennett for Jackson (74).

NOT USED

David Raya, Adam Henley, Matt Kilgallon, Chris Taylor.