Sheffield United want a penalty as Richard Stearman goes down in the box under the challenge of Ola Aina.

But referee Simon Hooper is having none of it and waves away the appeals.

That proves to be Adama Diomande's last action on his first start since August as he goes off to be replaced by Kamil Grosicki.

Sheffield United make a change too as Mark Duffy replaces Ryan Leonard.

Hull close to a second as Jamal Blackman claws away Adama Diomande's header.

Image source, Rex Features

This is where the protests can get out of hand.

Sheffield United captain Leon Clarke outpaces Michael Dawson and cuts inside, shapes to shoot and then stops... because he hears a whistle.

But it came from the crowd and not the referee. Clarke doesn't look best pleased.

Simon Goodall: Be careful what you wish for hounding owners out. Man City hounded out Peter Swales, got Frannie Lee, and ended up in the 3rd tier.

Robert Hoyle: The Allams are systematically ruining our club and tearing the club out of the heart of the city. The best type of boycott would be not attending the games but then we are punishing the players and condemning them to relegation. It is a tough spot.

Some of our younger readers may be surprised to hear that Man City were indeed in the third tier as recently as 1999.

We're asking you for your thoughts on the Hull fans protests against the club's owners, the Allams. Home fans threw sponge balls on to the pitch in the 20th minute and some fans protested outside the ground before the game.

Get in touch on #bbcefl.

That Nouha Dicko goal ends a long wait by Hull for a league goal by a striker.

Before tonight a Tigers frontman hadn't scored in the league this year.

The last man to do so? Dicko in the 2-2 draw with Fulham on 30 December.

This time it's Hull's turn to go close as the game threatens to open up.

Nouha Dicko holds the ball up and works a yard of space before letting rip with a 25-yard drive which Jamal Blackman tips around the post.

Sheffield United threaten again after Hull fail to deal with a long ball forward.

Billy Sharp escapes his marker and gets into the box but sees his shot well saved by the legs of home goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

This has been a bright start to the second half by the visitors.

Billy Sharp gets in behind the home defence and tees up George Baldock for a cross which Michael Dawson heads clear just in front of Leon Clarke.

Image source, Rex Features

Lovely move by Sheffield United down their right opens Hull up.

The ball finally falls to Lee Evans on the edge of the Hull box but Jackson Irvine is out quickly to block.

Image source, Rex Features

Bill: Adam Peckitt, A football protest that worked? See Blackpool FC and the Not A Penny More protests, one chairman out soon to be followed by all the Oystons.

David Pickup: I'm all for the protest. It's hardly hundreds of blokes invading the pitch and attacking people. These fans have had enough on how their football club is run. Without them there is no club in the first place.

Gaz: But Adam Peckitt, #hcafc, external fans are desperate. Have you seen the empty seats? We had higher attendances in the bottom division than we did in the Premier League - has that ever happened in the history of football? It is all the fault of the Allams

See 8:31 entry for Adam's thoughts on the protest. He doesn't think they'll have the desired effect.

Let us know what you think on #bbcefl.

Sheffield United were back out first for the second half and get the game back under way.

Not because they were first out. It was just their turn.

Image source, Getty Images

Elsewhere in the EFL, League Two club Grimsby have responded to former England defender Sol Campbell's claims that he is "being wasted because of a lack of experience" by saying they would be interested in speaking to him about replacing the sacked Russell Slade as manager.

And here's the full rundown of Saturday's games in the Championship (all 15:00 GMT unless stated).

• Birmingham City v Barnsley
• Burton Albion v Millwall
• Leeds United v Brentford
• Norwich City v Bolton Wanderers
• Preston North End v Ipswich Town
• QPR v Nottingham Forest
• Reading v Derby County
• Sheffield Wednesday v Aston Villa
• Sunderland v Middlesbrough
• Fulham v Wolves (17:30 GMT)

We'll be keeping a particularly close eye on the games at Birmingham, Reading and Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland before the mouthwatering meeting of in-form Fulham and leaders Wolves.

Image source, Rex Features

There's plenty more action from across the EFL to enjoy this weekend.

We'll be back from 14:00 GMT tomorrow with all the action across the Championship as well as Leagues One and Two.

And on Sunday there is a tasty lunchtime meeting between promotion hopefuls Cardiff City and Bristol City in the Severnside derby.

Image source, Rex Features

And there's the half-time whistle after 45 minutes when the biggest talking point has been the sponge ball and whistle protests by the Hull fans.

Both sides have had chances, though, when football has broken out.

Evandro saw a shot saved by the legs of Sheffield United keeper Jamal Blackman, while John Fleck fired the Blades' best opening wide late on.

We're into two minutes of stoppage time... presumably all down to the sponge ball protest.

Image source, Rex Features

Adam Peckitt: There's ways to protest, but throwing sponge balls onto the pitch & blowing whistles is being really childish. Also, name a time when a protest during a match at a football club ever worked?

Chance for Sheffield United!

Enda Stevens and Leon Clarke combine to set up John Fleck on the edge of the box but his left-foot shot flies narrowly off target.

Fleck is back in the team after a two-match ban.