Hull City 2 DOUG THOMSON NEW SEASON,
firing in a rising shot after Sone Aluko’s delivery was only partially cleared.
Town, who had looked better for the 63rd-minute introduction from the bench of Ishmael Miller, kept plugging away, and might have reduced the deficit.
But Hull could also have added to their tally – Smithies did well to deny both Tom Huddlestone and Clucas – and the home side deserved to win their first match since relegation.
Some argued this was an overdefensive team selection by Powell, who handed debuts to Martin Cranie and Dean Whitehead as well as Aussie international Davidson.
But the boss was hamstrung by Sean Scannell’s hamstring niggle and injuries to Joe Lolley (shin) and James Vaughan, who suffered a concussion during training late last week.
It never rains but it pours for Vaughan, whose pre-season was interrupted by a thigh problem and probably wouldn’t have started in any case.
But Lolley would have been a possible replacement for Scannell, so for him to also be unavailable was a blow.
Town, who went from 3-5-2 to 4-1-4-1 and 4-3-3, badly missed Scannell’s pace, power and strength, particularly when trying to counter attack.
Nahki Wells and Harry Bunn, the frontmen in the initial formation, were willing workers, but found Michael Dawson and Curtis Davies tough opponents.
There were times, especially in the first half, when Hull played some loose passes, but Powell’s side seldom had the numbers up top to take advantage.
Powell’s side, with Cranie effective next to Mark Hudson and Joel Lynch in defence, never looked like being swamped by a home team who did their best work down the flanks.
But they need to produce more end product in the final third, and even allowing for the injuries, they had two starters (Wells and Bunn) who scored 23 goals between them last season.
Goals change games, and at least some chances were created, but it’s important Town find their scoring touch in the Capital One Cup clash with Notts County. A solid victory and some goals would set things up nicely for the league visits of Blackburn Rovers and Brighton and Hove Albion.