Hull City are on course for an important point at the bottom of the standings after reaching half time at 0-0 with Southampton.

Southampton started brightly with Shane Long being denied by Steve Harper after just two minutes, but Hull provided an immediate response through Sone Aluko, who narrowly missed the corner with a well-struck shot.

Aluko, who had been recalled to the starting lineup, was looking dangerous and his pace created another opening for himself before he fired at Kelvin Davis.

Southampton had been quiet but after 20 minutes, they should have scored when Graziano Pelle was provided with a header inside the penalty area but Harper pulled off a superb stop to deny the Italian.

Back came Hull though, with the impressive Aluko curling wide of the post before Stephen Quinn volleyed into the ground in a good position.

Chances dried up towards the end of the half, but Hull will be the happier of the two teams heading into half time.