Everton 1-1 Hull City

Everton's Romelu Lukaku (centre) was a powerful presence against Hull City at Goodison Park

• Hull out of the bottom three with draw

• They pick up first point since 25 October

• Everton with only one win in five

• Defensive frailties exposed again

Hull ended a run of four consecutive league defeats thanks to Sone Aluko's second-half equaliser at Everton.

Substitute Aluko twisted and turned defender Sylvain Distin before firing a low, angled shot past Tim Howard.

Everton took the lead when Romelu Lukaku fired in his sixth of the season from Kevin Mirallas' pull-back.

Lukaku also had a late shot blocked by Michael Dawson, while Hull's ex-Toffees striker Nikica Jelavic headed inches wide.

It was Everton's central defence - their Achilles this season - that cost them victory against the visitors.

There were signs that it could prove a problem again when Jelavic twice brushed off the attentions of Distin - and it was the French defender who was at fault for the Hull equaliser.

Aluko, a replacement for the injured Mohamed Diame six minutes earlier, surged past the former Newcastle and Portsmouth defender down the left before rifling a low shot beyond the reach of Howard.

Hull then should have gone ahead moments later when Jelavic exploited more poor defending but the Croatia striker headed his effort inches past the keeper's right-hand post.

It had all begun so well for the home side, who were looking to bounce back following their weekend defeat against Tottenham.

Lukaku was particularly prominent, combining a muscular ability to hold off defenders with a willingness to track back for his side.

But it is his prowess in front of goal which prompted Martinez into making him a permanent signing during the summer, and after a slow start he is starting to prove his worth.

He scored his latest goal - his third in four matches - after combining with Belgium team-mate Mirallas. The winger was in menacing form in the first half and picked out Lukaku, who converted the chance despite being at full stretch.

The £28m striker, who had an early firm effort well held by Allan McGregor, had a shot blocked by Dawson as Everton pushed for a late winner.

That was one of Everton's few clear-cut efforts on goal after the break though, and despite eight minutes of stoppage time they failed to trouble McGregor again.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez:

"In the first half we did enough to win the game, but you don't win games with one-goal margins.

"I'm incredibly proud of the effort of the players. In the second half we were disrupted - Leighton Baines got a knock to the nose and then we got punished when Hull got the goal and we didn't have the energy to get the winning goal.

"Our effort and character was magnificent. Hull came here with a clear approach - a lot of energy and making it difficult to break them down. They were ruthless in taking their chance."

Hull manager Steve Bruce:

"The second half we were much, much better. There wasn't much between the sides in the first half. After the difficult weekend in Manchester and a difficult month - if anybody was going to win it was us.

"Who knows with the point, hopefully we've stopped the rot. It was the first time we were in the relegation zone in 18 months. It's only our second season up though.

"The Premier League is starting to take shape. We hope we can still finish midway through the division - we have a far better chance than we did last season."

Everton manager Roberto Martinez (left) was released as a player by Hull's Steve Bruce at Wigan

Martinez saw his side take the lead against Bruce's team in the first half when Romelu Lukaku scored

Everton defender Sylvain Distin had a difficult night at the back for Everton

Nikica Jelavic (second from right) was close to giving Hull their second, but it was still a precious point at Everton