The Tigers made much the better start than their visitors, belying the 11-point gap that existed between the two sides at kick-off.

Bowen should have put the hosts in front after just four minutes but placed a header wide of goal after being picked out expertly by returning winger Kamil Grosicki.

The Pole – making his first start for City in five months and his first competitive start since Poland’s 1-0 win over Japan during the World Cup – was in the thick of the action early on and was put through on goal only for the imposing figure of Aden Flint to blunt out his attack.

Hull were well on top and skipper Markus Henriksen saw a daisy-cutter just fly past the post of Darren Randolph on 10 minutes.

Flint then nodded wide for Boro from a corner soon after while Britt Assombalonga directed a shot wide of goal after a good counter attack from the visitors.

Both defences were on top for the remainder of the half, with chances limited and a succession of stoppages affecting the early flow of the game.

Boro came out after the restart full of energy and full-back George Friend signalled their intent by fizzing a shot just over the Hull bar.

But it was not long before the strong travelling support from Teesside had something to celebrate, when they went in front on 51 minutes.

Jonny Howson whipped in a ball from the right and Assombalonga was in the right place to tuck the ball home for his fourth goal of the campaign.

Just a minute later Assombalonga was put in again, though this time home stopper David Marshall was able to get behind the hitman’s fierce effort and keep him at bay.

Bowen then curled a rasping effort over the bar as Hull searched for a quickfire response.

Down the other end Flint came within a lick of paint of doubling their advantage when he rose highest to a throw-in but saw his header graze the top of the City crossbar.

With a quarter of the game left, Boro handed the hosts a lifeline when Daniel Ayala clumsily fouled Chris Martin in the box to concede a penalty.

From the resulting spot-kick Bowen made no mistake and slotted past Randolph to restore parity.

Nigel Adkins’ side were buoyed by the goal and stepped up their pursuit of a winner, with Bowen always looking a threat going forward.

Henriksen almost capped off an impressive move but his tame attempt was dealt with by Randolph, who was the busier goalkeeper as the game approached its latter stages although Marshall had to be alert to keep out Howson’s downward header late on.

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