Zayatte strike rescues Hull from FA Cup chop

Hull fought back to earn an FA Cup fifth round replay against Sheffield United as Kamil Zayatte’s strike secured a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Phil Brown’s Premier League side were facing an embarrassing exit when Greg Halford’s early goal put the Championship promotion chasers into the lead at Bramall Lane.

But Guinea defender Zayatte, playing in an unaccustomed midfield role, bailed out the Tigers with an equaliser – only his second goal of the season – before the break to set up a replay at the KC Stadium.

With former Tottenham centre-back Anthony Gardner making his long-awaited return to action after five months on the sidelines with a thigh problem, Hull should have had a more secure look at the back.

Brown’s men had the first chance when captain Dean Marney surged forward before driving a powerful shot just over.

But there was no sign of any new-found solidity in Hull’s leaky defence as the Blades grabbed the lead in the seventh minute.

Hull left-back Andy Dawson slipped and allowed David Cotterill to cross to Halford, who outjumped Sam Ricketts at the far post to plant a firm header past Boaz Myhill.

Brown’s side responded to that setback with Richard Garcia heading over from a Dawson corner.

Halford could have increased United’s lead after breaking clear but shot straight at Myhill when through on goal.

The Blades lost Chris Morgan when the defender was stretchered off midway through the first half, with striker Danny Webber sent on as his replacement.

As United regrouped, Hull took advantage and levelled after 34 minutes when Dawson delivered a curling free-kick from the right and Zayatte got forward to glance a header past Kenny.

United went close to regaining the lead in first-half stoppage time when Billy Sharp headed wide from another Cotterill cross.

Hull appealed for a penalty early in the second half after Caleb Folan was released by a brilliant back-heel from Geovanni and went down as Halford challenged, but referee Andre Marriner waved away their protests.

The visitors had another good opportunity moments later as Ricketts crossed but Kenny parried Garcia’s header. Kenny had to be at his best again to stop Bernard Mendy’s effort moments later.

That was as close as either team came to a winner and the sides will now meet again for a place in the last eight a week on Thursday.