Lynch feels the force as Hull stand firm in first test

England's progress to the brink of victory at Edgbaston was far more interesting than anything going on at the KC Stadium, as a 22,000 crowd drawn to witness Hull City's debut in the Championship discovered.

It took Mark Lynch, the full-back who has moved from Sunderland, a minute to discover the physical nature of QPR's game. Sent flying into the perimeter advertising boards by Paul Furlong's challenge from behind, the 23-year-old suffered a dislocated kneecap and may not resume his Hull career until November.

Hull, promoted two seasons in a row under Peter Taylor's management, hope that sort of incident is not typical of what lies ahead.

"QPR are a big, strong physical side, especially at the back," their striker, Steve McPhee, another debutant, said. "There was not much football played, mostly long balls. It did not suit us because we like to string passes together."

But Taylor felt Ian Holloway's side might be a benchmark for his. "It was nice to play the team that finished 11th in the Championship last season and look as good," he said. "If we finish anywhere near that we can be very pleased."

Holloway said: "Hull should try to do the same things they did in League One last season, but just do them better. It is a step up, but it isn't the Premiership."

McPhee, a former Port Vale striker who spent last season in Portugal, looked as though he will threaten many a Championship defence, although the best chances on Saturday fell to the visitors, Kevin Gallen squandering a good shooting chance and Furlong missing with a free header.

Hull City (4-4-2): Myhill; Lynch (Delaney, 4), Cort, Coles, Dawson; France (Price, 78), Ashbee, Green, Elliott; Barmby (Fagan, 65), McPhee. Substitutes not used: Leite (gk), Andrews.

Queen's Park Rangers (4-4-2): Royce; Bignot, Shittu, Santos, Rose; Rowlands (Sturridge, 68; Moore, 72), Doherty (Ainsworth, 69), Bircham, Cook; Gallen, Furlong. Substitutes not used: Cole (gk), Shimmin.

Referee: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).

Booked: Hull Fagan; QPR Cook, Santos.

Man of the match: McPhee.

Attendance: 22,201.