Hull City's Europa League campaign came to an end on Thursday night, despite beating Lokeren 2-1 in the second leg of their qualifying tie at the KC Stadium.
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg of the tie, Hull made the best possible start as Robbie Brady slotted home from close range in just the sixth minute.
However, the odds were back in Lokeren's favour early in the second half when Jordan Remacle picked out the top corner to hand the visitors a 2-1 lead on aggregate.
The comeback looked on when Brady calmly converted from the spot after Hull had been awarded a penalty, but Yannick Sagbo's red card dealt a blow to their chances in the 71st minute.
Read below to find out how Lokeren secured their progress thanks to the away goals rule.
Good evening everyone. It's a big European night at the KC Stadium, and the club's supporters will not want it to be the last one of the season. Hull City meet Lokeren tonight, looking to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the second leg of this Europa League qualifying tie. Can Steve Bruce's side reach the group stage?
It promises to be an exciting night for Hull, but Lokeren showed last week that they are capable of causing problems for Bruce's defence. Patience this evening is key for the hosts. They can't afford to concede an early away goal if they are to continue their campaign.
HULL: McGregor, Rosenior, Figueroa, Chester, Davies, Meyler, Brady, Livermore, Essa, Sagbo, Aluko
SUBSTITUTES: Harper, Bruce, Huddlestone, Maguire, Boyd, Jelavic, Ince
LOKEREN: Verhulst, Maric, Scholz, Odoi, Overmeire, Persoons, Galitsios, Remacle, Dutra, Vanaken, De Pauw
SUBSTITUTES: Boubacar, Mertens, Henrique, Leye, Kaya, Abdurahimi, Ngolok
The teams are in at the KC Stadium, and Bruce has once again made a brave move by leaving a few key players on the bench from the start. He makes three changes to the side who lost in Belgium. Captain Curtis Davies starts in defence, with Jake Livermore and Mohamed Essa taking their places in midfield. Tom Huddlestone, Nikica Jelavic and Tom Ince are on the bench. Lokeren are unchanged from the 1-0 win seven days ago.
Perhaps it's a surprise to see Bruce rotate his side again as they look to overturn the deficit, but he knows how important it is to keep players fresh for the Premier League as Hull look to build on a promising return to the top flight of English football. A first European campaign is surely seen as a bonus by the club's supporters.
Bruce has had his own say on his selection policy, telling reporters: "It's quite simple, we've got to win the match and we're capable of that, no matter what line-up I pick.
We know that we'd love to be in the next stages; to get in the group stages would be terrific for the club, we're aware of that. We're also aware of how difficult it is with all the pitfalls that come with it."
PREDICTION: It's just over 10 minutes until the match gets underway, so it's time to predict what the outcome will be tonight. With an excited crowd behind the, I'm expecting Hull to produce their best tonight. 2-0 to the hosts.
Remember, we've also got coverage of the other English team in action this evening as Tottenham Hotspur take on AEL Limassol at White Hart Lane. You can follow text commentary of that game with Alex Meyers.
Can Hull snatch a spot in the group stage? They'll be wary of the threat posed by Hans Vanaken, who scored the winner last week. Lokeren look to play a lot through him, so keeping him quiet will be a big challenge.
Here we go then. Both sets of players are out in the middle at the KC Stadium, and there's a great reception from the home supporters. Kickoff is just moments away.
It's Lokeren who start the match, and the visitors are looking to get onto the front foot immediately.
Lokeren make a confident start to the game, knocking the ball around impressively before forcing McGregror to come off his line to collect a cross.
Good noise coming from the home supporters, but there's quite a few empty sections in the stands. Hull yet to find their feet in the second leg of this qualifying tie.
GOAL! HULL 1-0 LOKEREN (BRADY)
They've found their feet now! It's a big goal for Hull as they make the breakthrough in the sixth minute when Figueroa's cross evades a couple of Lokeren defenders before Brady taps in from close range. 1-1 on aggregate.
That goal has certainly changed the mood inside the KC Stadium. As it stands, they need one more goal to reach the group stage, but they have to guard against complacency. An away goal would be crucial for Lokeren.
Brady looks in the mood to play a leading role tonight. He's trying to get involved as much as possible, and that goal seems to have given him a big confidence boost. Hull very relaxed in possession.
It's clear that Lokeren are trying to disrupt Hull's passing rhythm, and we've seen more than one late tackle in the early stages of the match. The hosts could be in for a fight this evening.
A quiet spell in the match is quickly forgotten as Lokeren come close to levelling the scores. They move the ball around nicely, and it looks like Vanaken will add the finishing touch until Davies comes across the box to make a vital block.
Hull have been given a warning. Lokeren are a confident side when they can get the ball forward, with Vanaken capable of finding pockets of space between the defence and midfield. Bruce continues to shout orders at his team from the touchline.
Falling behind shouldn't change much for Lokeren. They know just how important a solitary goal could be this evening. Hull are enjoying good possession in midfield, but we haven't seen much of Sagbo or Aluko yet.
Lokeren boss Peter Maes will be happy with what he's seen since the goal. The visitors are getting forward well, but are falling at the final hurdle with every attack. Too many crosses have been easily cleared, despite some impressive spells of possession.
Lokeren have tried their luck with a couple of efforts from distance, but McGregor is untroubled as he watches both strikes drift wide of the target. The Scot has not been asked to do much in the first half. Lokeren must change that.
Good goalkeeping from McGregor to collect the ball in a congested penalty area after Davies had failed to clear an inviting cross from Odoi.
Very few chances for either side since that early Brady goal. Bruce will be concerned about the lack of balls being retained by his attacking players as Sagbo and Aluko continue to struggle to assert themselves on the game.
SHOT! Hull are almost punished for some lazy defending when Dutra is allowed to take the ball forward unchallenged, but the Brazilian wastes the opportunity with a wayward strike.
Bruce might be starting to get concerned. They're in a good position to qualify tonight, but it's Lokeren who look the more threatening going forward at the moment. Very little being offered by Hull's attacking players.
Poor from Aluko. He gets the ball in space on the wing and looks set to deliver an inviting cross, but his first delivery is blocked before another ball is easily collected by Verhulst.
SHOT! Excellent play from Scholz as he sprints past a couple of Hull shirts in midfield, but he fails to add the finishing touch as an effort from 25 yards rolls harmlessly wide.
Stubborn defending from Davies as he blocks another long-range shot, before helping Hull to clear the corner which follows. Surely one of the more underrated centre backs in the English game at the moment.
More of the same from both sides. Hull looking comfortable, but not threatening, in possession, and Lokeren are doing all they can to push the hosts back.
The atmosphere has changed in the past few minutes at the KC Stadium. Hull's supporters are urging their side to increase the tempo of the play as another attack breaks down for the Tigers.
SAVE! Much better from Hull as a move ends with the ball reaching Meyler on the edge of the box, and the midfielder forces Velhurst into a good save from his powerful volley.
YELLOW CARD! Rosenior becomes the first player to go into the book after a late tackle on the tricky Dutra.
HALF TIME: HULL 1-0 LOKEREN
It could have been two for Hull had Meyler's volley found the corner in the latter stages of the first half, but they're forced to settle for a 1-0 lead. Brady's strike has given the hosts the advantage. However, Lokeren have proved they are capable of causing problems once again. One goal for either team would secure their progress.
PHOTO: Robbie Brady is congratulated by his team-mates after opening the scoring in the first half #UTT pic.twitter.com/Ii2tROj2s7
— Hull City Official (@HullCity) August 28, 2014
Long way to go in this match, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Bruce freshen up his attack soon. Aluko, in particular, has struggled, and he may consider turning to Jelavic to give him an added threat up front.
Simon Sinclair has been watching this match closely for Sports Mole, and you can now read his half-time report of the opening 45 minutes at the KC Stadium.
Michael Dawson has just been presented to the Hull supporters for the first time following his move to the club earlier this week. The defender's former side, Spurs, are currently leading AEL Limassol 1-0 at White Hart Lane thanks to a Harry Kane strike.
Both teams are back out in the middle. No changes to report yet. Hull will get the game back underway.
Groans from the home supporter at the start of the second half as Hull immediately gift possession to the visitors. Lokeren are looking to increase the tempo from the restart.
SAVE! Lokeren win a free kick 35 yards from goal. Too far out for a shot? Overmeire doesn't think so as he forced McGregor into a save with a powerful effort.
GOAL! HULL 1-1 LOKEREN (REMACLE)
Disaster for Hull as Loveren level the scores on the night to earn a 2-1 lead on aggregate. The corner which follows McGregor's save is dealt with poorly by the hosts, and the ball drops to Jordan Remacle, who finds the top corner with an excellent striker. As it stands, it's the Belgian side who are going through.
Hull now need two goals to qualify for the group stages. Will Bruce turn to his bench soon? The home supporters are urging the players forward, but Lokeren look calm at the back.
PENALTY! This could potentially be a huge moment for Hull. Elmohamady whips in a dangerous cross, and the referee points to the spot after seeing the ball clip the hand of a Lokeren defender. Brady will step up from 12 yards.
GOAL! HULL 2-1 LOKEREN (BRADY)
Brady holds his nerve after the long protests from the visitors to stroke home his penalty. That's two for the midfielder tonight. Hull need another to progress!
It's clear that Bruce has instructed his full backs to get forward more often as Elmohamady strikes a deflected effort behind for a corner. Lokeren are forced to clear a couple of set pieces before finally earning a breather. Much better from Hull.
Excellent noise coming from the home supporters now as Hull attempt to pile on the pressure. You've got to feel that changes will arrive soon, with Jelavic and Huddlestone the obvious options. George Boyd could also cause problems for the visiting defence, who have not really been taken on that often.
Lokeren have a goal disallowed as De Pauw is penalised for a push inside the box just moments after turning the ball home from close range. The replay suggests that it was a good decision.
YELLOW CARD! Overmeire has been one of the more vocal players for Lokeren, and the referee appears to have had enough as he shows him a booking for dissent.
Lokeren was pressing further up the pitch early on in the match, but they're happy to slow the pace of the match down now as they look to protect their advantage. The frustration for Hull is obvious already.
SUBSTITUTION: First change for Hull, and it's a positive one from Bruce as Rosenior jogs off to be replaced by Jelavic.
Jelavic in the game immediately as he heads just wide of the target, but the whistle had already been blown for a foul in the build-up.
CHANCE! Lokeren should have finished this tie, but the opportunity is wasted. Vanaken breaks free of the Hull defence, and with just McGregor to beat, he hits a poor effort straight at the goalkeeper. Terrible finish. Will they regret that miss?
RED CARD! Big, big blow to Hull's chances of progressing as they are reduced to 10 men. It's Sagbo who sees red for a tackle on Galitsios. In truth, the decision could have gone either way, but Sagbo pays the ultimate price.
That red card has changed the mood inside the stadium. Hull face a difficult task from here. Lokeren need to make the hosts work as hard as possible to get the ball back in the closing stages. Can Hull find a goal from anywhere?
SUBSTITUTIONS: No more time to waste for Bruce as he sends on Huddlestone and Ince to replace Chester and Meyer. Lokeren boss Maes replaces Dutra with Mbaye Leye.
Hull are throwing men forward, with Huddlestone attempting to control the game from a deeper position, but nothing is sticking for the hosts as Lokeren clear a couple of promising attacks. Just over 10 minutes plus stoppage time left in the match.
Plenty of noise coming from the away end as Lokeren close in on a spot in the Europa League group stage. Hull struggling to make full use of the width of the pitch at the KC Stadium, with the likes of Ince and Elmohamady seeing their respective routes blocked.
Lokeren believes they can finish this game off. They're not content with sitting back, and their determination to attack in the closing stages is making it difficult for the 10 men of Hull. Unfortunately for Hull supporters, no chances for the hosts in the past few minutes.
YELLOW CARD! Verhulst takes far too long over a goal kick, and his punishment is a yellow card for time wasting.
SHOT! Huddlestone collects the ball in space outside the box. The crowd urges him to shoot, and he obliges, but a deflection takes all of the power off the strike, which allows Verhults to collect the ball easily.
SUBSTITUTION: Two changes for Lokeren as Remacle, whose goals is sending the visitors through as it stands, makes way for Evariste Ngolok. Merteens replaces De Pauw.
The fourth official confirms that there will be five minutes of added time played. Will some of Lokeren's time wasting come back to haunt them?
Hull are pushing for one final chance, but Lokeren are handling everything that is thrown at them in stoppage time. Time is running out for the hosts. It looks like their European campaign is coming to an end.
Hull can't get the ball into a dangerous area, with Lokeren happy as the ball gets cleared to the other end of the pitch. Bruce looks helpless on the sidelines. The final whistle is just a few moments away.
FULL TIME: HULL 2-1 LOKEREN
It's all over at the KC Stadium. Hull win 2-1 on the night, but Lokeren's away goal ensures that it is they who will be in tomorrow's Europa League group stage draw. The European dream is over for the Tigers.
Questions will be asked of Bruce's decision to leave a few key players on the bench, but in truth, they did have the chance to win this tie tonight. Sagbo's red card arrived at a crucial moment in the match, and that dealt a blow to Hull's chances.
That's all from me this evening. Hull's campaign comes to an end as Lokeren march on in the Europa League. I hope you've enjoyed the coverage tonight. Goodbye.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
