City battled back from 2-0 down earn a 2-2 draw against in-form Preston
Barry Cooper Hull City correspondent
22:54, 30 Sep 2025
Oli McBurnie celebrates his goal against Preston (Image: SmartFrame/Pro Sports Images)
Sergej Jakirovic says Hull City’s stirring fightback against Preston North End shows his side never surrenders, but admits he may need to alter his approach in a bid to keep a clean sheet.
Oli McBurnie’s brace secured a point at the MKM Stadium to the manager’s delight, but it was two early first-half goals which left him seething.
City were awful in the first half and found themselves 2-0 down inside 10 dreadful minutes thanks to goals from Thierry Small and Michael Smith, with both coming from Tigers’ errors.
After being booed off at the break, Jakirovic made a triple change at the start of the second half with Joe Gelhardt, Regan Slater and the returning Liam Millar all making an instant impact.
Ryan Giles twice crossed for McBurnie to fire in at the near post to take his tally for the season to seven goals, and while the Lilywhites could have won it themselves, Daniel Iversen’s stunning save to deny John Lundstram in added time ensured it remained 2-2.
“We entered into the game making two mistakes, two shots, and we were 2-0 down, and we were struggling all the way to half-time, with basic things, passing, we lost the ball very easily,” Jakirovic told Hull Live.
“We didn’t do anything, especially in duels. They were very much stronger than we were. At half-time, I decided to change it and to make three substitutions. I thought they will bring us energy, and as soon as possible, we need to score the first goal, it will be a completely different game.
“These three guys, these three players, Liam (Millar), Regsy (Slater) and Joffo (Gelhardt), they brought us a lot of energy, we were better in challenges, better on the ball, because we tried to spread them in the defensive line with five against three.
“In the pockets and half space with Regsy and Joffo, because we didn’t have a good connection between our centre backs and midfield players in the first half, this is the reason why I changed, I must change something.
“It was a very good reaction in the second half. Of course, we can never surrender because when you are behind 2-0, one goal will change everything, so that was the message, and their reaction was perfect.”
Jakirovic was unhappy with the concession of both goals. The first was when Cody Drameh failed to challenge Small, who scored, and then Ivor Pandur’s poor kick, which led to Smith’s second. The Croatian says that while he’s delighted with the second half response, he admits he might have to change his approach in a bid to stop the consistent flow of goals going in City’s net, which now stands at 16 in the league ahead of Sheffield United’s visit this weekend.
“He’s (Drameh) too far away from the player (Small). We gave him a lot of time to receive the ball, one touch on the ball and the second touch is the goal, so it’s too much space, too much time, and they punish you if he’s a quality player, and that player is quality, especially in one against one, but this is football.
“We are trying all the time, speaking about the defensive play, about conceding goals, but maybe I need a different approach, psychologically.
“It’s very, very easy, very simple. This is football, we have to play 90 minutes. I’m very satisfied with the reaction of our players and we need to keep this feeling for the next game.”
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