Hull City's five-game unbeaten run came to an end this evening as they lost 1-0 at Birmingham City and missed the chance to go top of the Championship.
Visitors Hull started on top and went close after just a minute when Moses Odubajo volleyed over Robert Snodgrass's cross from a tight angle.
Birmingham then took the lead in the 14th minute and by doing so ended Hull's run of 477 minutes without conceding a goal. Jon Toral was the scorer, turning smartly outside the box before having his shot deflected in off Curtis Davies.
The Tigers responded well to going behind and hit the woodwork twice in quick succession, with Jake Livermore's fierce shot rattling the post before Michael Dawson headed against the bar.
Sam Clucas was next to go close for Hull when he managed to shoot straight at Tomasz Kuszczak with only the Birmingham keeper to beat.
Birmingham had ridden their luck a little since going in front, but they then could have extended their advantage through Clayton Donaldson, who almost scored a spectacular goal with a fierce overhead kick that Allan McGregor acrobatically tipped over.
That was a tough chance, but Birmingham had a much easier one moments later when David Cotterill crossed for Toral and the Arsenal loanee planted a header inches wide of the target.
Hull finished an action-packed first half on top, twice going close to a leveller as Livermore and Mohamed Diame both failed to test Kuszczak.
The second half started at a tepid pace and the first moment of note did not arrive until midway through the period when Hull appeared to be denied a clear penalty. Abel Hernandez curled a shot at goal and Paul Robinson seemed to lean towards the flight of the ball and use his arm to block the shot, but referee Stephen Martin shook his head.
Hull then began to turn the screw in the final 20 minutes and Kuszczak was on hand to deny Livermore, Snodgrass and Clucas in quick succession.
Clucas had a golden chance to equalise in the closing stages, but his close-range effort was deflected away from goal by Michael Morrison's outstretched leg.
Birmingham then saw out the result in sodden conditions at St Andrew's, and three points for Gary Rowett's side moves them up to seventh and within a point of the playoffs, while Hull stay second and they will drop to third tomorrow if Middlesbrough avoid defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Pascal Lemesre
