Leeds: (6) 12
Tries: Jones-Buchanan, Webb
Goals: Sinfield, Burrow

Hull denied Leeds a clear return to the Super League summit at the KC Stadium courtesy of a narrow win.

Leeds, who remain joint top alongside St Helens, had Matt Sing and Shaun Briscoe's tries to thank for their thrid league win at home this season.

Danny Tickle added four goals for the hosts, while Jamie Jones-Buchanan and Brent Webb went over for Leeds.

The visitors could have stolen the game late on were it not for a fine tackle on Rob Burrow by Briscoe.

But two points for Leeds would not have been deserved after their error-ridden display.

After a lively start which saw Willie Manu almost create an opening for Briscoe, Hull opened the scoring thanks to a ninth minute penalty from Tickle.

The home side responded five minutes later and posted the game's opening try, Sing the scorer.

The Australian winger was able to force his way through the Leeds defence from a tight angle after good work from Lee Radford and Craig Hall although the latter's pass which fed Sing was possibly forward.

Tickle added the touchline goal to extend Hull's lead to eight points.

Leeds were quick to respond however, and Kevin Sinfield's wonderful loop pass from dummy-half found Jones-Buchanan who crashed over under the posts with Sinfield converting.

With Hull looking the livelier in attack, Richard Swain led them around the park well with a neat kicking game and, in a bid to prevent them gaining any momentum, Danny McGuire needlessly intercepted their attempted 20-metre restart to see himself sent to the sin-bin.

After gaining some good field position, Richard Horne produced a deft kick which drifted through the Leeds line untouched, until Briscoe crept in to touch down.

Tickle's third goal of the half saw Hull lead 14-6 at the break before his penalty from 45 metres extended the lead to 10 points shortly aftfer the restart.

The outstanding Leeds full-back, Webb, moved into the pivotal positions more as the game progressed and claimed his 15th try of the season on 67 minutes after collecting a pass from Jordan Tansey.

Burrow converted and then thought he had a chance to secure a win after racing clear down the left, only to see Briscoe appear to crunch him to the ground.

"It was a very brave and committed effort, which is an improvement. Last year we managed to get the results in some close games, and we did that today.

"Maybe we're getting there a bit. We turned up for each other, worked for each other in bucket loads.

"We could have put Leeds to bed earlier, but it was a very committed effort and very pleasing."

"It came down to a few big plays at the end.

"Unfortunately we weren't good enough to do that today. We're hoping not to get into the habit of having to try and snatch games at the end.

"We'd like to get into them a bit earlier and score a few more points a bit earlier, but we'll get better at that as the year goes on."

Hull: Briscoe, Sing, Hall, Yeaman, Raynor, R. Horne, Lee, Dowes, Swain, Carvell, Radford, Manu, Tickle. Replacements: Tony, Domic, King, Maiava.

Leeds: Webb, Donald, Toopi, Senior, Hall, McGuire, Burrow, Bailey, Kirke, Peacock, Jones-Buchanan, Ellis, Sinfield. Replacements: Tansey, Thackray, Ablett, Leuluai.

Referee: P Smith (Barnet)