Hull 0 Birmingham 1: Full time analysis
Hull responded as Olofinjana made a powerful run into the box and squared across goal but Scott Dann slid in and forced Altidore to scuff his shot.
Geovanni tried his luck from 25 yards but his low effort bobbled wide.
The Brazilian then fired in a dangerous cross but Roger Johnson's touch took it away from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who was making his first Hull start.
A long throw by Ibrahima Sonko was unconvincingly punched away by Hart but Birmingham just managed to hack behind as Vennegoor of Hesselink threatened.
Benitez, sporting a bandage after a clash of heads with Zayatte, created another opportunity on the stroke of half-time but Myhill tipped over.
Altidore worked his way into the box early in the second half but Hart saved after the American checked and shot left-footed.
Paul McShane then failed to cut out a Stuart Parnaby pass and allowed Birmingham to break but Hull survived as Keith Fahey headed McSheffrey's cross wide.
Geovanni tested Hart again with another good effort from the edge of the box from a Vennegoor of Hesselink lay-off but the keeper was again alert.
Myhill was soon back in the thick of the action as Parnaby found himself wide open on the right but shot straight at the Hull keeper.
Myhill then produced an even better point-blank save from Bowyer after Johnson had risen high to knock down a corner from McSheffrey.
Hull survived another scare after a Hart goalkick found its way to Benitez but he was unable to get a shot away.
Hull had another turn in the ascendancy with Carr heading away a delicate McShane cross at the far post and substitute Kamel Ghilas having a shot blocked for a corner.
But play quickly switched the other end as Benitez skipped past Dawson and Myhill again saved at the expense of a corner.
Fahey's delivery from the set-piece was perfect and found O'Connor, who came on for McSheffrey just after the hour, unmarked to head home at the near post.
Hull, in their response, appealed for a penalty after Hunt went down under a challenge from Dann but Phil Dowd gave nothing.
The Tigers rallied for one late charge and Geovanni shot wide before Olofinjana headed against the bar from a corner. Another goalmouth scramble ensued but Blues somehow held out.
