Hull City boss Iain Dowie praised his players after their 0-0 draw at Birmingham City.

Dowie had demanded a response in the battle to stay in the Barclays Premier League after the Tigers had been beaten 4-1 at home last weekend.

He said: "You have to be careful not to over-react at times. No one was more angry, frustrated or fuming at the end of the Burnley game than me after our second-half performance.

"I had a conversation this week with the players, ramming home what Premier League survival means to the area, the people who work at the club, and the fans.

"I asked for a response in training, then I wanted a positive performance today - and I got it. There weren't many chances but I thought we shaded it in terms of opportunities.

"It is a working-class area and people demand the lads put a shift in and you saw that today.

"Against Burnley in the second half we didn't do that enough. That is the minimum we require.

"We got the response and we will see how important that point is at the end of the season.

"But given Birmingham's home record, it was a display to be proud of."