Hull 2-1 Middlesbrough
- Published
A late goal from Matt Fryatt ended Hull's run of five straight defeats and earned them a victory over Middlesbrough to dent the Teessiders' play-off hopes.
Marvin Emnes had earlier given Boro the lead when he curled a right-footed shot into the top corner.
Josh King levelled things, rifling home his first goal for the Tigers.
Fryatt then secured Hull's first win in seven with his 12th goal of the season, diverting King's cross home.
The victory moves the Tigers up to 10th place, just four points behind Cardiff City, who occupy the final play-off place. Boro sit two points better off despite four draws and four defeats from their last eight games.
The visitors broke the deadlock with their first chance of the game, when Emnes scored his 17th goal of the season.
The Dutch striker went close again but Vito Mannone saved well to prevent him adding to the tally.
After King converted a loose ball to level things up it was the home side who took control with Richard Garcia and Cameron Stewart both going close.
Fryatt wrapped up the victory when he converted King's right-wing cross.
Hull manager Nick Barmby: "We were on top, but the opposition hit us on the break. We got punished trying to play offside.
"Vito [Mannone] made a great save [from Marvin Emnes] when it was 1-0 and it was the turning point of the game. He's been doing that for us all season.
"But then we got the players in at half-time and told them that we needed to be tighter as a team as our shape wasn't right.
"We showed a lot of bravery on the ball in the second half, which was important."
Middlesbrough boss Tony Mowbray: "We were very disappointed to only be 1-0 up at half-time as we had lots of opportunities to score and didn't take them.
"We told them at half-time about concentrating, but Hull didn't have to work hard for their first goal, and it gave their supporters a lift.
"Then they got the second goal and it gave us a result that we could not have foreseen at half-time.
"There are now four games left and I think we probably need to win three of them."