Substitute Alex Gilbert’s stoppage-time strike lifted Middlesbrough to a hard-fought 1-0 victory over struggling Hull at the MKM Stadium.
It looked set to be a frustrating New Year’s Day for Boro as Ivor Pandur made a string of saves and on the one occasion the Hull goalkeeper was beaten, Hayden Hackney’s effort thudded off the woodwork.
But just as the visitors appeared on course for a fourth consecutive draw, Gilbert struck in the third minute of four added on to lift Michael Carrick’s side up to fifth in the Championship.
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Middlesbrough’s Alex Gilbert scores a 93rd-minute winner against Hull City to snatch a 1-0 win
Gilbert had only been on the pitch a matter of minutes but he turned in fellow substitute Delano Burgzorg’s low cross for his first league goal of the season as Hull returned to the relegation zone.
The Tigers had moved out of the bottom three with victory at Blackburn last time out but while the last-gasp nature of this defeat was harsh, they were thoroughly second best for the final hour.
They initially subdued their opponents, albeit given a significant let-off when Finn Azaz rifled over early on, unable to capitalise on Alfie Jones being dispossessed in his own area.
After a drab opening half hour, Middlesbrough stepped up the tempo before the break as Emmanuel Latte Lath shot straight at Pandur, who then tipped over a dipping 25-yard effort from Riley McGree.
Hull made a double switch when play resumed as on came Xavier Simons and Ryan Giles, a former Middlesbrough loanee whose left side was exploited as Azaz thrashed low across the face of goal.
Giles got to a teasing cross ahead of an onrushing Isaiah Jones, while Daniel Barlaser’s audacious effort straight from a corner crept over the crossbar as Boro kept knocking on the door.
Middlesbrough’s appeals for a penalty fell on deaf ears when Isaiah Jones’ cross hit Giles’ trailing arm in the box before Carrick introduced Ben Doak, Burgzorg and Neto Borges.
Doak immediately made his presence felt, jinking his way into the box and laying off for Hayden Hackney, whose first-time strike crashed into the inside of the post with a static Pandur helpless.
Burgzorg was allowed to turn and shoot in the area but Pandur did brilliantly at his near post to palm away while the Croatian shot-stopper was at full stretch to deny a long-distance attempt from Azaz.
However, Pandur was denied a second successive clean sheet as Burgzorg bust down the left and crossed low for 88th-minute substitute Gilbert to side-foot first time into the net.
The managers
Hull’s Ruben Selles:
To follow…
Middlesbrough’s Michael Carrick:
To follow…
