Two goals in the final eight minutes saw Hull City come from behind to claim a 2-1 win against Middlesbrough at the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Tuncay had given the visitors the lead in the 79th minute, but an own goal from Ross Turnbull following Bernard Mendy's shot brought City level before Marlon King won the game from the penalty spot after Geovanni had been fouled in the box.

Phil Brown, beginning his third year in charge of the Tigers, selected the same side that drew at Stoke City last weekend with Nick Barmby maintaining his place in the starting line up ahead of Daniel Cousin, who was once again named on the bench.

The former Boro record signing was making his 500th club career apperance.

Middlesbrough included England international Stewart Downing in their side with Afonso Alves and Tuncay Sanli starting up front.

On a bitterly cold afternoon, City - who were seeking to end a run of six games without a win - kicked off and attacked the North Stand end of the ground where the Middlesbrough fans had seen their team perform a rather exaggerated pre-match huddle right in front of them.

The away side provided a moment of danger in only the third minute when a corner came all the way through, Ian Ashbee heading behind at the back post.

Moments later, Jeremie Aliadiere found himself free at the far post, but his shot was blocked and the striker was then penalised as Boro looked to make something of the loose ball bouncing around the City box.

Middlesbrough were far sharper in the early minutes and when Stewart Downing burst through, his low shot had to be saved by Boaz Myhill.

George Boateng certainly looked fired up for City against his former club as he won some strong challenges.

City wasted a glorious opportunity in the 22nd minute.

Geovanni beat the offside trap to latch on to a long ball over the top, but rather than going for goal himself, he opted to try and square the ball for Marlon King, but the pass was weak and cut out by Emanuel Pogatetz.

Boateng needed treatment following a clash with Andrew Taylor as City began to work their way into the game and the midfielder was cleared to continue.

Geovanni missed another great opening on 30 minutes when King picked him out with a lovely cross.

The Brazilian had the freedom of the Boro box but the ball came horribly off his head and went well wide.

Aliadiere's push on Geovanni gave City a free kick right on the edge of the area in the 33rd minute.

The Brazilian took it but saw his effort deflected wide by the wall and the resulting corner from Dean Marney failed to beat the first defender.

Another horrible header from Geovanni flew well wide two minutes before the interval following good work from Sam Ricketts down the left.

At the other end, Downing dragged a decent chance wide from beyond the far post.

Half Time: Tigers 0-0 Middlesbrough

City's first attempt of the second half came from Geovanni, but he fired wide of the near post from 18 yards.

Ian Ashbee needed treatment following an aerial clash with Pogatetz as the pair looked to win a free kick played into City's box, but the Tigers' captain was okay to carry on.

Ashbee then picked up a yellow card after losing possession and then deliberately bringing down Alves.

City made a double change just after the hour with Bernard Mendy and Cousin replacing Barmby and Marney.

Mendy operated down the right with Geovanni dropping back into midfield to allow Cousin to partner King up front.

City's lack of a killer instinct in front of goal was once again evident on 67 minutes.

Geovanni's super run ended with a pass to King to his right. But rather than shoot first time, he took a touch, allowing a defender to narrow the angle and the final shot flew wide.

Geovanni's deflected shot led to a City corner on 71 minutes. King took it and found the head of Kamil Zayatte, but he was just off target.

Middlesbrough took the lead on 79 minutes.

Justin Hoyte broke down the right and took his time before squaring for Tuncay who fired home from close range.

However, the Tigers were level just two minutes later.

Mendy picked up play on the right edge of the box and worked himself a shooting chance.

His effort came back off the near post, hit goalkeeper Ross Turnbull on the back and crawled over the line.

Three minutes later, City were awarded a penalty and Boro reduced to ten men after David Wheater brought Geovanni down in the box.

King stepped up to take it and although Turnbull got a hand to the ball low down to his left, the strike was too powerful and it nestled in the bottom corner.

City's final change came just seconds later with Peter Halmosi replacing Geovanni, who left to a standing ovation.

Three minutes of time were added with Boro going close with a deflected free kick.

At the other end, Cousin turned well inside the box but saw his shot blocked for a corner.

Tigers (4-4-2) Boaz Myhill; Paul McShane, Michael Turner, Kamil Zayatte, Sam Ricketts; Dean Marney (Cousin 61), Ian Ashbee [captain] George Boateng, Nick Barmby (Mendy 61); Geovanni (Halmosi 86), Marlon King.

Subs: Matt Duke, Bernard Mendy, Stelios, Richard Garcia, Peter Halmosi, Daniel Cousin, Dean Windass.

Bookings: Ashbee 57

Middlesbrough (4-4-2) Ross Turnbull; Justin Hoyte, David Wheater, Emanuel Pogatetz [captain], Andrew Taylor; Jeremie Aliadiere, Didier Digard (Hines 87), Julio Arca, Stewart Downing; Afonso Alves, Tuncay Sanli.

Subs: Brad Jones, Marvin Emnes, Adam Johnson, Tony McMahon, Seb Hines, Jon Grounds, Josh Walker.

Bookings: Tuncay 75

Sent-Off: Wheater 84 (denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity)

The attendance of  24,912 becomes the highest for a Hull City game at the KC Stadium. The previous record was 24,906 for the visit of Chelsea in October.