Hull 0 Birmingham 1: Full time analysis
Substitute Garry O'Connor headed a late winner as Birmingham finally beat Boaz Myhill to claim a scrappy win at Hull this afternoon.
Myhill had been outstanding throughout an eventful Barclays Premier League encounter at the KC Stadium, producing brilliant saves from the lively Christian Benitez and Lee Bowyer.
Joe Hart was also kept busy in the Birmingham goal and Hull's Seyi Olofinjana hit the bar late on but O'Connor's 75th-minute effort proved decisive.
It was only Birmingham's third goal of the season but the reasons why Hull went into the game with the worst defence in the competition were only too evident.
Ecuador striker Benitez, making his first league start, was a threat throughout and was unlucky to come up against Myhill in such good form.
Yet Blues could consider themselves fortunate to come away with the point as Hart was the least convincing of the two keepers and Hull caused some moments of panic in his area.
Hull had an early chance after Stephen Carr was booked for a foul on Stephen Hunt on the left.
Hunt swung in the resulting free-kick towards Jozy Altidore and Kamil Zayatte also seemed to get a touch in the ensuing scramble but Birmingham cleared.
Hunt continued his lively start with a swerving shot from 30 yards moments later but Hart parried to safety.
Birmingham's first chance came as Benitez showed good skill on the edge of the area and turned neatly to shoot but Myhill saved low down and Andy Dawson cleared.
It was the first of three good saves in quick succession from the Wales international as Birmingham enjoyed a good spell.
Myhill first pushed away a Barry Ferguson flick and then quickly regained his feet to tip over a fierce drive from Bowyer.
Gary McSheffrey then flashed wide from outside the edge of the box as Birmingham, despite their poor scoring record, showed some promise.
