Dowie proud after Tigers hold firm

Manager Iain Dowie praised his Hull players after "a display to be proud of" as they earned a precious point from a goalless draw at Birmingham.

Dowie had demanded a response in the battle to stay in the Barclays Premier League after the Tigers had been beaten 4-1 at home last weekend. He reminded the squad of their responsibilities to the club and the area and was satisfied with the way they claimed only their fifth away point of the campaign against Alex McLeish's side.

Dowie said: "You have to be careful not to over-react at times. No one was more angry, frustrated or fuming at the end of the Burnley game than me after our second-half performance.

"I had a conversation this week with the players, ramming home what Premier League survival means to the area, the people who work at the club, and the fans.

"I asked for a response in training, then I wanted a positive performance - and I got it. There weren't many chances but I thought we shaded it in terms of opportunities.

"We got the response and we will see how important that point is at the end of the season. But given Birmingham's home record, it was a display to be proud of."

Blues also responded in a positive fashion after their 5-1 reversal at Manchester City and they have not been beaten at St Andrew's since September.

McLeish said: "After the five breakaway goals from City last week, I wanted a clean sheet and I'm proud of the lads and the way we bounced back.

"Maybe we didn't have the imagination or creativity in the final third but we still showed a lot of professionalism.

"We have proved time and time again that we can bounce back. You have bad performances from time to time but the players have got it in their character to respond. You have to dust it off like a bit of dandruff on your shoulder and show what you can do."