Bowen has a spot of frustration for Pulis
JARROD BOWEN eased the pressure on Hull boss Nigel Adkins with a clinical penalty – but only after scrapping with his team-mate to take it.
The Tigers hitman had to snatch the ball from fit-again winger Kamil Grosicki, who tried to leave the club last month, to take the spot-kick.
And he justified the decision by slotting home the equaliser which cancelled out Britt Assombalonga’s opener.
Adkins, whose strugglers face leaders Leeds on Tuesday, revealed he ‘had words’ with Poland international Grosicki after he had tried to claim the ball for the 69th-minute penalty following Daniel Ayala’s foul on Chris Martin.
Adkins said: “We have talked about it because the penalty taker is on the board in the dressing room so there is no misunderstanding and so no one should be standing over the penalty spot.
“It was a great finish from Jarrod and clever centre-forward play from Chris to get it. We have not always been rewarded this season. It is a good point for us against an excellent side who will be right up there.”
But Boro boss Tony Pulis was unhappy with referee Darren England’s decision and felt his side should also have had a penalty when substitute Martin Braithwaite fell in the dying seconds under Stephen Kingsley’s messy challenge.
Pulis said: “The lad is very clever and you can see why the referee gave it but I thought ours was more of a penalty.
“Our lads are disappointed because they had the chance to go top but it is still one defeat all season. We can’t keep relying on the back lads. We need to be more clinical.”
Boro took the lead six minutes into the second half after an instantly forgettable first in which neither keeper had a save to make.
Assombalonga broke the deadlock with his fourth goal of the season when he smashed home Adam Clayton’s cross.
Bowen then levelled before both sides had chances to win – but David Marshall stood firm to deny Boro’s Jonny Howson late on.