Ahmed Elmohamady pounced late for Hull City to seal a 2-1 win over Derby County at the KC Stadium.
The first half was an uninspiring spectacle, as both teams struggled to find their rhythm.
Connor Sammon saw an early effort whistle past the post, while Jeff Hendrick nearly created an opening after a brilliant run down the right.
Tigers boss Steve Bruce made two changes at the break, and it made an instant impact as new signing Mohamed Gedo headed past Adam Legzdins.
The match quickly settled back into the pattern of the first half, as the Rams huffed and puffed in search of an equaliser.
It nearly came in the 65th minute when Sammon got his head on Jamie Ward's cross, only to see his effort come back off the crossbar.
Ward looked like he had rescued a point for the visitors when he tapped in at the back post from Craig Bryson's cross with six minutes remaining.
However, they were not level for long, as Elmohamady restored Hull's lead just three minutes later.
There was further cause for misery for Nigel Clough as Gareth Roberts saw red in the final minute of normal time.
Michael Penkman
