Birmingham City 0-1 Hull City: Tigers extend unbeaten away run to six at St Andrew's
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Oscar Estupinan nets his 10th goal of the season
Oscar Estupinan's late goal gave struggling Hull City a narrow win at Birmingham City.
The Colombian striker nipped in front of Marc Roberts to guide Cyrus Christie's cross past Blues goalkeeper John Ruddy from close range.
Ryan Longman thought he had headed the Tigers in front from Greg's Docherty's cross earlier in the half, but was ruled offside.
Tigers keeper Matt Ingram had to pull off a smart save to deny Blues a point when Sean McLoughlin almost sliced an attempted clearance into his own net.
A second win under Liam Rosenior lifts Hull to 18th in the Championship, five points clear of the relegation places, while a third defeat in five matches drops Birmingham to 16th.
Following a minute's silence before kick-off for former Blues academy player Cody Fisher, who died in a knife attack on Boxing Day, it was the visitors, unbeaten in their last six away outings, who created more openings in a quiet first half.
McLoughlin's effort brought a smart save from Ruddy, but at the other end, Ingram had to be alert midway through the half to parry Troy Deeney's powerful low strike.
Centre-half Alfie Jones spooned a shot over from six yards and Roberts had to make a crucial block to deny Estupinan from close range as Hull started the second half strongly.
Ingram got down well to his left to stop Tahith Chong's low effort as the hosts tried to respond, but the Tigers deservedly went in front through Estupinan's 10th goal of the season.
Blues almost snatched a last-gasp draw when Ruddy went forward for a corner and headed wide from six yards, but the Tigers held out and have now lost just once in seven games under Rosenior.
Birmingham City head coach John Eustace told BBC Radio WM:
"I thought the lads looked really leggy. The game at Burnley took a lot out of us, the attitude and effort on Tuesday was fantastic, but we just couldn't get going today.
"It (the goal) was sloppy play from us. We gave the ball away very cheaply and we got punished which you will do at this level.
"We can't wait until the last minute to get what was probably our best chance of the game. We had a couple of half-chances throughout the game. We huffed and puffed, and it's something we need to look at and make sure we're better against Middlesbrough."
Hull City manager Liam Rosenior told BBC Radio Humberside:
"I've been frustrated for a while because our performances maybe haven't warranted the points total that we've got, but the players keep being consistent and I was delighted with every aspect of their performance today.
"I thought we played some outstanding football at times, the goal was a great move and we've got that in the team.
"So it's just finding that balance every game between having really good discipline, energy and commitment, but at the same time using our quality with the ball."