Fans ask questions of Brown

Hull City supporters showed the first signs of becoming restless yesterday after seeing their side continue their slide towards relegation.

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Hull City supporters showed the first signs of becoming restless yesterday after seeing their side continue their slide towards relegation. The Tigers, who have not won in the league since they beat Middlesbrough at the beginning of December, were beaten by fellow strugglers Blackburn at the KC Stadium, leaving them just three points from the drop zone. Phil Brown must wonder where his side's next win is coming from and, for the first time during his reign, he was subjected to boos from his own fans after he withdrew playmaker Geovanni in the second half.

Geovanni, Hull's match-winner during the first half of the season, shook his head when his number was raised and the crowd voiced their displeasure with a howl of boos. Just to compound Brown's misery, the defeat came at the hands of his former mentor Sam Allardyce. Morten Gamst Pedersen was the central figure for Rovers as they secured a vital three points in their own battle to beat the drop. Pedersen's fierce cross-shot on 34 minutes was too hot to handle for Matt Duke, the Hull keeper, and Stephen Warnock made no mistake from close range for the opener.

After seeing Keith Andrews put Rovers two up just a minute later, Pedersen was on the receiving end of a petulant kick from Dean Marney on 63 minutes that saw the Hull midfield player sent off. However, Pedersen saw red himself soon after for a second booking. Ian Ashbee gave Hull hope with a goal on 78 minutes but Rovers held on to ensure Allardyce claimed the bragging rights. * PA