SIDEBOTTOM SAVES SCUNTHORPE - Geoff Sidebottom, Scunthorpe United's goalkeeper, smothers the ball as Chris Chilton sprawls on the ground and United defenders look round apprehensively, with Ken Wagstaff waiting to pounce on any mistake. This was just one of the fine saves Sidebottom made in the first half of City's opening game of the season at Boothferry Park.

BILLY WILKINSON BLOCKED OUT - Scunthorpe United full-back, Hemstead, beats Hull City winger Billy Wilkinson to the ball and intercepts a pass to clear his lines during the opening match of the season at Boothferry Park last Saturday. A last-minute goal by Ken Wagstaff landed both points for the Tigers.

GLANCING HEADER - Horstead and Scott clear the danger for Scunthorpe as Wilkinson tries a glancing header.

Centre-half Horstead punches out a certain goal by Heath to give City a penalty.

HORSTEAD SANDWICHED as Chilton and goalkeeper Sidebottom tussle for the ball in the Scunthorpe goalmouth.

DIVING DOWNSBOROUGH - Swindon Town keeper Peter Downsborough flings himself across goal and is pleased to see a cannonball shot from City's left-winger, Ian Butler ( left ), flash past the post. This was one of the many thrills in last night's clash between the Tigers and Swindon at Boothferry Park.

PLENTY OF PUNCH in this clearance by Swindon keeper, Peter Downsborough, as Tigers' left-winger, Ian Butler, moves in to snap up any half-chance. It was one of the many exciting incidents in Wednesday night's clash which Hull City won 1-0.

STRAIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE and it's the winner from WAGSTAFF ( at left ) behind Mel NURSE (5) with CHILTON turning and DOWNSBOROUGH diving - too late, the ball is passing ATHERTON just in front of the line.

Houghton's shot at goal was well covered by Springett, QPR keeper.

City near to scoring in the early stages of the first half, Butler leaps to the ball beyond the far post.

Chilton follows the ball from the wing as it sails past keeper Springett and Watson QPR right-back.

CHILTON BEATEN - Queen's Park Rangers' right-half Mike Keen, with help form another Rangers' defender, beats Hull City centre-forward to the ball in this attack on the London side's goal in last Saturday's clash at Boothferry Park.

City attack foiled by QPR defence left Watson, Hazell and Keen.

No Match Action Description

HOUGHTON PUTS CITY AHEAD - Mansfield Keeper Colin Treharne leaps across his goal, but he has no chance of saving the shot which Hull City inside-left Ken Houghton ( centre ) has lashed in. Looking on are Ken Wagstaff ( left ), who supplied the pass for this opening goal, and Chris Chilton ( right ).

Chilton waits for the ball as York full-back Walker misses a high ball

Ball on my neck, Ian Butler during game with York City.

Wagstaff heads the ball towards York City goal.

Ferguson ( left ) and Parry to the rescue as Wagstaff sails in.

Chilton gets the better of Young only to head wide.

Matthews flies across his goal to try and save City penalty.

Keeper Matthews combines with Richardson and Young to keep out I Butler

AGILE REG MATTHEWS, Derby County's international goalkeeper, takes the ball off Chilton, with Bob Ferguson, the Rams' left-back, well beaten. Matthews, who has been at Derby sine 1961, was previously with Coventry City and Chelsea.

BUTLER FOILED - Ian Butler, Hull City's outside-left, lashes a shot past Bob Ferguson, Derby County left-back, but the competent Reg Matthews dives to clear his line.

JOCK IS DOWN - Hull City full-back Jock Davidson slips as he attempts to clear while harassed by Reading's outside-left, Fairchild, during last Saturday's Boothferry Park game.

KEEPER PUNCHES CLEAR - Reading keeper Mike Dixon leaps out to punch clear from Ken Wagstaff as the Hull City inside-right tries to get in a header. Mick Travers ( left ) falls back to cover up.

Reading keeper Dixon pushes one past the post.

Dixon goes full length to a testing shot from Houghton.

COOK HEADS EQUALISER - Maurice Cook, Reading's inside-right, outjumps Mike Williams, the Tigers' keeper, to get in the header with which Reading equalised seconds after Ken Houghton's penalty in Saturday's game at Boothferry Park. Left to right: Summers, Knight, Thornhill, Butler, Williams, Cook and Milner.