Hull City 2-0 Birmingham City: Tigers climb out of bottom three against 10-man Blues
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George Honeyman netted Hull's first goal despite protests from Birmingham's defenders
Goals from George Honeyman and Mallik Wilks hauled Hull out of the bottom three as they overcame 10-man Birmingham City.
Midfielder Honeyman put the Tigers ahead with a controversial strike after Ryan Longman appeared to take the ball out of play in the build-up.
The visitors went down to 10 men just before half-time when Gary Gardner was shown a straight red card for headbutting Josh Magennis.
Wilks wrapped up the points after the break, heading in Keane Lewis-Potter's cross to seal back-to-back wins for the first time this season.
Hull, who were missing defender Josh Emmanuel - now discharged from hospital after he was taken ill during training on Thursday - began the game with the division's worst scoring record of 11 goals, only five of those on home turf.
But they began well and the Birmingham camp were left seething as Longman burst down the left flank and seemed to have overrun the ball before cutting it back for Honeyman to stab in his second goal in as many games.
Although Honeyman's 17th-minute strike was allowed to stand, the visitors should have levelled when Troy Deeney teed-up Scott Hogan, only for Nathan Baxter to deny him with a point-blank save.
Instead, Blues went in behind at the break - and a man short after Gardner's altercation with Magennis prompted referee Tony Harrington to issue the midfielder with his second red card of the season.
The Tigers took advantage of the extra man by doubling their lead 12 minutes after the restart, Lewis-Potter weaving his way to the line before delivering a cross to the far post for the unmarked Wilks to nod home.
Magennis might have added his name to the scoresheet, nudging Honeyman's cross wide, while Blues goalkeeper Matija Sarkic prevented further damage with his save from Lewis-Potter.
Hull's victory lifts them to 21st place, above Peterborough on goal difference, while Birmingham remain 15th.
Hull City head coach Grant McCann told BBC Radio Humberside:
"It's been a tough week in terms of injuries, right up to a last-minute phone call from Callum Elder this morning in terms of not feeling too well.
"We've had all our fit and available defenders on the pitch today, so I was pleased with the performance levels and the togetherness of the group.
On George Honeyman's goal: "The linesman's on the far side of the pitch and it's very difficult to see if it is out or not. If it's out then it is a bit of luck, of course, but we still have to pull the ball back and finish it.
"It was almost like a quiet moment, I think people couldn't quite believe it was a goal but sometimes you need those little bits of luck."
Birmingham City manager Lee Bowyer told BBC Radio WM:
"It was clearly out - it wasn't even close. Everyone stopped, waiting for the whistle to blow. Even the lad that scored, he didn't even try and kick the ball - it just hit him on the leg because he clearly knew it was out as well.
"For whatever reason, they don't give us that decision and it gives Hull a head start. Then they have the audacity to give me a yellow card at half-time because I'm complaining.
"If you do your job properly then I don't complain. You're costing my team points.
"The players gave everything second half, but it's tough when you go down to 10. Gary (Gardner) will get punished for that - it's not acceptable and I believe, with 11 v 11 on the pitch, we go on and win."