Ipswich 1 Hull 1

ANDY DAWSON believes Hull can stage an action replay of their promotion success three years ago.

The Tigers claimed a Premier League place via the play-offs and survived in the top flight for two seasons before being relegated last May.

They made a miserable start to this campaign but Nigel Pearson's new-look side has now suffered just one defeat in their last 17 league games.

Substitute Jay Simpson equalised just five minutes from the end to make it 11 away games without a single loss and skipper Dawson - the only survivor of the Wembley win over Bristol City in 2008 to start at Portman Road - said:

"It is good to be going into the last third of the season with a confident team.

"There is a real feeling of optimism that we can keep this run going."

Hull went behind when Jason Scotland hit a 58th-minute drive for his ninth goal of the season.

But Simpson, with his back to goal and only on the pitch for six minutes, somehow managed to direct a superb header beyond keeper Marton Fulop.

Hull currently have just one point fewer than at the same stage three years ago and left-back Dawson added:

"We see it every year that two or three clubs go on a run at the right time."

Ipswich midfielder Andy Drury almost netted on his full debut following a £150,000 move from Luton.

Drury, 27, said: "It didn't seem such a massive jump from the Conference to the Championship."

SUN STAR MAN GRANT LEADBITTER (Ipswich).

Stand-in skipper led by example.

Mel Henderson (The Sun)