Folan's Hull advance to quarter finals

Hull 2 Sheffield United 1

A controversial own goal by Kyle Naughton and a Peter Halmosi strike handed Hull a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals tonight.

Hull took the lead for the first time in the fifth-round tie when Naughton was ruled to have headed into his own net after 23 minutes of the KC Stadium replay.

TV replays were inconclusive and suggested he might have been unlucky and, despite an equaliser from Billy Sharp, there was no repreive as Halmosi settled affairs in the second half.

While United were left to rue their luck and refocus on their Coca-Cola Championship campaign, the Tigers can now prepare for a trip to Arsenal or Burnley in the last eight.

It is the first time they have reached that stage for 38 years and could be just the fillip they require ahead of Sunday’s Barclays Premier League six-pointer with Blackburn.

It was a spirited effort from the Blades, who were again depleted by injuries and could only name five substitutes on their bench.

They almost grabbed the lead after four minutes when Greg Halford, again deployed as a makeshift striker, almost repeated his early goal scoring feat from the 1-1 draw between the sides on February 14.

The on-loan Sunderland defender met a looping cross from Brian Howard with a firm header but could not direct his effort on target.

Hull, having made seven changes themselves, responded well and threatened to make the visitors pay for the miss in a strong 15-minute spell that saw Naughton, in particular, endure a torrid time.

First, Halmosi broke clear of England Under-21 international and fizzed in a dangerous cross but Nick Barmby volleyed powerfully over.

Hull had another chance from a Halmosi corner but Kamil Zayatte headed wide.

Caleb Folan rose to meet another Hull corner, this time taken by captain for the night Dean Marney, but was also off-target.

Naughton was then fortunate to escape being sent off after 18 minutes when he bundled over the onrushing Halmosi on the edge of the box after a fine through-ball from Marney.

Referee Peter Walton showed only a yellow card and Marney drove the resulting free-kick into the wall.

Naughton might actually have been wishing he had been shown red moments later as he handed Hull the lead.

He appeared in little danger as he positioned himself under Nathan Doyle’s cross but his backward header thundered against the bar, bounced onto the line then struck the woodwork again.

Had goalline technology been used, he might have got away with it but a flag was quickly raised and the goal given.

To their credit, the Blades responded positively and were back level just eight minutes later.

Halford was again involved as his cross from the right was headed back by Lee Hendrie and then stabbed home from close range by Sharp.

Sharp was booked for diving shortly before the interval after going down under the challenge of Zayatte in the area.

Hull looked to reassert their authority early in the second half with Barmby hooking wide from a corner.

They got their noses back in front in the 56th minute when Doyle combined on the right with Barmby and the former England man crossed for Halmosi.

The Hungary international timed his run well and slid forward to divert the ball across Paddy Kenny and in at the far post.

Barmby looked to inflict further damage but slipped as he threatened to break clear and Bernard Mendy headed over from a Sam Ricketts cross.

Folan, who appeared to be limping, left the field after 65 minutes and was replaced by Manucho.

The United fans claimed a goal when Boaz Myhill stepped over the line after catching a cross but he kept the ball well away.

United had plenty of possession in the closing minutes as Hull failed to kill the game off convincingly but were unable to make the breakthrough.

Kenny ventured forward for a stoppage-time corner but to no avail.