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Hull came from behind in a dramatic final ten minutes to clinch a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough at the KC Stadium.

The game was goalless until the 79th minute, when Tuncay tapped-in for the visitors, but an unfortunate Ross Turnbull own-goal and a penalty from Marlon King turned the match on its head in the final stages.

King's winning goal from the penalty spot was a result of David Wheater's last-gasp challenge on Geovanni in the box, which also saw the defender dismissed by referee Steve Tanner.

It had looked like the match was heading towards a drab finish after numerous chances were squandered by both sides in a largely frustrating affair.

Indeed, the first half was largely notable for the wastefulness of Geovanni, as the Brazilian contrived to miss a plethora of clear-cut headed chances in front of goal.

But the forward atoned for his lack of conviction in front of goal, with the fine run which drew Wheater's mis-timed tackle and the subsequent winning goal in the 85th minute.

Six minutes earlier, Middlesbrough thought they were heading for a hard-fought away win - a scarce commodity - after Justin Hoyte's marauding run culminated in the defender squaring his cross to Tuncay, who finished from close range.

But the Tigers were not deterred and went straight on the attack through substitute Bernard Mendy, whose driven shot struck the near post and rebounded cruelly off Turnbull and into the net.

Prior to the game's breathless finale, it was the visitors who were the brighter. Didier Digard's corner in only the second minute, caused havoc in the Hull box before Ian Ashbee finally cleared the danger.

The danger had barely abated, before Stewart Downing sent another cross, piercing the heart of the Hull back-line, with Afonso Alves the main culprit in failing to capitalise from close-range.

Jeremie Aliadiere was the most potent threat for Gareth Southgate's side, and the Frenchman's driving runs from the right left Phil Brown pacing anxiously on the touchline.

One such dribble culminated in the ball squirming off Michael Turner's intervention, into the path of Downing, whose shot was tame with Boaz Myhill collecting comfortably.

But the scoreline was goalless at the break, largely due to the ineptitude of Geovanni's finishing with his head; strike partner Marlon King providing numerous crosses for the Brazilian which were squandered.

The second half was largely disappointing, with the exception of a headed chance for Dean Marney and the fleeting brilliance of Geovanni at one end and Aliadiere at the other, with the match looked to be petering out tamely.

But that was before the late glut of goals which resulted in Middlesbrough remaining rooted in 12th place in the Premier League, with their victors Hull, rising to a heady fifth spot.

Dan Quarrell / Eurosport