Hull's Marlon King is challenged by Middlesbrough's Emanuel Pogatetz
A Ross Turnbull own-goal and a Marlon King penalty helped Hull City come from behind to beat 10-man Middlesbrough at the KC Stadium.
After a lifeless first half 'Boro took the lead through Tuncay when he flicked in Justin Hoyte's low cross.
A minute later Bernard Mendy's shot crept under Turnbull, struck a post and deflected back in off the goalkeeper.
David Wheater was sent off for hauling back Geovanni in the area and King dispatched the resulting penalty.
The win represents Hull's first in six matches and keeps them in the race for Champions League qualification - a testimony to their incredibly impressive start to their first season in the top flight.
However, Middlesbrough remain precariously placed in a mid-table pack separated by only a five points from the relegation zone.
Brown glad to return to winning ways
The visitors offered the first threat with barely two minutes on the clock when two successive corners caused frantic rearguard action from the Hull defence.
A goalmouth scramble presented an opportunity to Jeremie Aliadiere but a good block from Sam Ricketts denied the French striker.
Stewart Downing had an opening on 10 minutes, fashioned after a neat pass from Tuncay, but his shot was tame and easily collected by Boaz Myhill in the Hull goal.
The Tigers offered plenty of bite in the middle of the park but little in attacking areas for the crowd to chew over and City's largely direct approach was easily swallowed by the Middlesbrough defence.
The home side's most likely provider was Geovanni and it was he who had their first attempt on goal but his wild shot over the bar from 20 yards never threatened to add to his six goals so far this season.
Southgate questions 'soft' penalty decision
The Brazilian's second effort was even more misdirected when King's right-wing cross found him unmarked and onside just outside the six-yard box but his header was nearer to the corner flag than the goal.
His nightmare half continued when he repeated the unintentional trick again just before half-time, on this occasion from a left-wing Rickett's cross, but his blushes were spared by a greater defensive presence in the box.
The second half began as the first left off with play focused in the middle third of the pitch, plenty of effort from both sides but little quality or composure in approach play.
In response Hull boss Phil Brown introduced both Mendy and Daniel Cousin for Dean Marney and the ineffective Nick Barmby.
However, it was Middlesbrough's Didier Digard who initially seized the attacking initiative with a 25-yard shot that was easily saved by Myhill.
Geovanni remained the home side's biggest threat and his strong surging run set up King just after the hour but the striker blazed his shot wide.
With the game seemingly staggering towards a life less draw a direct attacking run from Boro's Hoyte down the right and a pin point cross found the unmarked Tuncay who flicked the ball skilfully into the net.
The goal immediately sparked the home side into life and when Cousin's cleared cross fell to Mendy in the box his sharp shot crept under Turnbull in the Middlesbrough goal, hit the post and then deflected back into the net off the goalkeeper's back.
Five minutes later Geovanni did make amends when he broke through the Middlesbrough defence into the box and was just about to shoot when he was fouled by Wheater for a penalty.
As a result the centre-back received his second yellow card and was sent off and King stepped up to slot home the spot-kick past Turnbull's outstretched left hand.
It was a nervy last few minutes for the home side as 'Boro pressed for an equaliser but only Alfonso Alves' misdirected free-kick caused them any real concern.
Hull boss Phil Brown:� "All season we'll be complaining about referees and decisions - last week it didn't go for us but this week it did.
"It is a fabulous day for us. We were disappointed to go a goal behind but that probably puts us top of the league at going a goal behind and getting something from the game.
"I have nothing but admiration for the lads. They have got a tremendous togetherness and never-say-die attitude and I can't ask for any more than that - apart from playing better football."
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate: "I think the pictures clearly show he (Geovanni) is offside to start with. He is coming back from an offside position and that gives him an advantage.
"We should have defended it instead of appealing but then it just looks pretty soft and when I think about the other decisions given throughout the afternoon, for them to get a decision in that area of the field I find very surprising.
"But we can do nothing about that. We have lost the game and we have to take our medicine."
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