Two second-half Stephen Hunt goals salvaged a point of the Tigers in their “relegation six-pointer” at Bolton’s Reebok Stadium, which leaves Phil Brown’s men firmly in the EPL’s relegation zone going into the New Year.   The club have also been charged by the FA with “failure to control their players” after what the game’s governing body called a “mass confrontation” shortly before half-time in their recent 3-0 defeat at Arsenal.   So, everyone at the club will surely be relieved to see the back of an awful year, both on and off the pitch. Although recently-returned chairman Adam Pearson has warned again that tough financial times lie ahead for the Humberside outfit.

After a plucky display against Manchester United at the KC Stadium over the Christmas weekend, things looked bleak for manager Phil Brown’s men when they went two-goals down to fellow-strugglers Bolton just after the hour mark.

But things looked bleaker still for the Trotters’ boss Gary Megson, as Hull took full advantage of tactical timidity from the hosts with two goals in seven minutes from Republic of Ireland international Hunt.

The Tigers have until January 13^th to respond to charges relating to an incident at the Emirates which was sparked off when Arsenal midfielder Samr Nasri appeared to deliberately tread on the foot of a prone Richard Garcia.

A flare-up ensued, involving the majority of players from both teams – Arsenal have been similarly charged.

The ever-involved Hunt was booked for his failed peacemaking efforts, alongside Nick Barmby…and Nasri. It was reported that the melee restarted in the players’ tunnel at half-time.

Brown refuted the charge vigorously, saying: “We conducted ourselves in the right manner right the way through the game. For us to come under criticism is absolutely scandalous.”

Chairman Adam Pearson has re-iterated his warning to supporters not to expect major signings in the January transfer window, unless they make significant and profitable reductions in the size of the playing squad.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live’s Colin Murray prior to the Manchester United game at the weekend, Pearson said: “We will be looking to offload about five or six players who are not currently contributing to the team.”

Pearson was echoing his words to the Hull Daily Mail earlier in the week when he said: “There will be no new signings unless we can cut our wage bill significantly.

“For that reason, we are not looking at any major signings in January, and I want to make that clear.”

However, City have intimated that they are willing to listen to offers for Guinean centre-back Kamil Zayette, who does not appear to fit Pearson’s description of a non-contributor to the team.

Brown, meanwhile, is reportedly interested in snapping up at least one surplus-to-requirements Manchester City striker, with newspaper reports suggesting either Felipe Caciedo or Benjani.

Brown tried to land Benjani last summer but will only take him on loan next month if the cash-rich Eastlands outfit agree to continue to pay half the 31-year-old Zimbabwean’s £50,000-per-week wages.