Newcastle United crisis continues

Ashley had failed in a bid to bring back Kevin Keegan in time for the game with the team looking lost for long periods of the game without a true leader in place in the dugout.

Before the game ref Andre Marriner had ordered Hull to change their kit with the charcoal shorts of City clashing with United's kit meaning the Magpies had to provide their visitors with white shorts and socks.

The show of support for Kevin Keegan was overwhelming from the first minute as fans belted out the famous Keegan Wonderland song from the word go.

And fans chanted "stand up if you hate Ashley" as the game reached the mid-way point of the first half.

Newcastle created the first chance of the game on five minutes when Geremi crossed from the right but Ameobi failed to get behind it before it skimmed off his head and went high and wide.

Hull responded on 15 minutes with a shot from Marlon King but the low angled effort was easy for Given.

Another Geremi cross in the 19 th minute found Danny Guthrie at the back post but the midfielder mis-hit his shot and the ball bounced wide with the goal gaping.

Owen went agonisingly close on the half hour mark when Geremi's cross found the head of the diminutive striker but American stopper Bo Myhill diverted the effort wide of the target.

A minute later and Hull were awarded a penalty after Butt upended Halmosi at Gallowgate.

King stepped up and even though Given guessed the right way to turn the ball against the post the ball rolled into the net to hand Hull a first half lead.

United created a chance three minutes before the break when debutant Xisco picked out Geremi but his effort was hammered wide.

At the start of the second half, the protests went up a notch and fans displayed banner readings "Cockney mafia out" with the mood turning ugly as United trailed.

But the Toon players tried to battle on and after Owen sprayed the ball to Butt the former Man United star sliced a shot wide eight minutes into the second period.

Yet Hull doubled their lead as N'Zogbia went AWOL.

The left-back gave King the freedom of the pitch after Dean Marney's pass left him with acres of space before he found the back of the net with a crisp finish on 55 minutes.

Newcastle rallied just before the hour as Myhill turned away a Guthrie effort that hit the bar.

Caretaker boss Hughton introduced new boy Ignacio Gonzalez on 62 minutes with the South American replacing Ameobi.

Hull fans went crazy again on 69 minutes when Michael Turner headed home but the goal was chalked off for a foul on Given.

But with nine minutes left United clawed their way back into the game as N'Zogbia cracked the post with a low shot from outside the box before Xisco tapped in the rebound from close range to make it 2-1.

Xisco headed over with four minutes to go after Geremi put in another cross from the right.

United fans had made their feelings crystal clear to Toon tycoon Mike Ashley following an organised protest before the clash with Hull City at St James's Park.

Thousands of angry fans squeezed into the narrow walkway opposite the old Milburn Stand to unleash their fury at the owner and demanded a the return of Kevin Keegan who resigned from the club last week.

Banners reading "Wise and Ashley out" and "Bring back King Kev" were the backdrop for fans arriving at the game with the Tigers and there were several other organised marches around the city before the game.

Fans were due to march from the heart of city and arrive late for the game in protest to the Toon crisis.

Caretaker boss Hughton had handed Spanish Under-21 ace Xisco his debut but Argentina star Jonas Gutierrez was missing due to shoulder problem sustained in midweek playing for his country.

Canadian defender Edgar was fielded as right-back with Habib Beye suffering from an Achilles problem.

UNITED: Given, Edgar (Bassong 68), N'Zogbia, Taylor, Coloccini, Geremi, Butt, Guthrie, Ameobi (Gonzalez 61), Xisco, Owen.

HULL: Myhill, Ashbee, Dawson, Turner, Fagan, Mendy (Folan 74), Halmosi, McShane, Marney (Hughes 78), King (Zayatte 83), Gardner.

Crowd: 50,242

Ref: Andre Marriner