Not for first time, FA Cup is something of a distraction for ambitious City.

(From Hull Daily Mail)

Byline: Philip Buckingham Hull City reporter p.buckingham@mailnewsmedia.co.uk

THAT familiar sense of deflation was back to fill the KC Stadium on January 28 of last year. A second-half winner from Matt Tubbs had fired League Two Crawley Town to an unlikely victory and left Hull City to reflect on another lamentable afternoon in the FA Cup.

Another year, another disappointment.

Aside from a bold run to the quarter-finals in 2009, a campaign eventually ended amid a storm of controversy in defeat at Arsenal, the Tigers can regale a long tale of woe in the FA Cup.

A third round date at home to Leyton Orient offers fresh hope for 2013 under Steve Bruce, but bitter experience ensures few supporters will see tomorrow's fixture as the first step …