Joe Gelhardt and Abu Kamara scored second-half goals as Hull beat fellow Sky Bet Championship strugglers Plymouth 2-0 for their first home win of the year.
Gelhardt, on loan from Leeds, broke the deadlock after a tepid first period and Kamara finished off the move of the match to seal Hull’s first win at the MKM Stadium since December.
The Tigers, who had failed to win their five previous home games, climbed up two places in the table to 19th, five points clear of the drop zone, while Plymouth’s winless league run on the road this season was extended to 18 matches.
The Pilgrims, who gave Manchester City a scare in the FA Cup at the weekend, failed to trouble Hull goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and slipped six points from safety with 11 games remaining.
Hull dominated first-half possession and, although they began to carve out half-chances after a quiet first 15 minutes, nothing came of them and neither keeper was seriously tested.
Referee Andy Davis waved away Gelhardt’s penalty appeal when he went to ground after bursting into the area and Charlie Hughes’ low angled shot was deflected into the side-netting.
Gustavo Puerta forced Conor Hazard into the game’s first save, the Plymouth keeper keeping out the Colombia midfielder’s header from Hughes’ right-wing cross with his feet.
Plymouth threatened fleetingly before the break through Marco Sorinola’s excellent free-kick, which was hooked clear by the outstretched Alfie Jones.
An uninspired first period, which showcased why both sides are struggling at the wrong end of the table, was followed by the opening goal less than three minutes after the restart.
Sean McLoughlin’s low shot from the edge of the area was parried by Hazard and Gelhardt pounced to turn home the rebound for his second goal in nine appearances for the Tigers.
Hull pressed on for a second goal. Gelhardt was inches away from connecting with Kyle Joseph’s cross and Joao Pedro was foiled by Hazard following Kamara’s ball into the six-yard box.
Kamara then secured the Tigers a two-goal cushion. Pedro raced on to Puerta’s superb through-ball, which had dissected the Argyle defence, and squared for Kamara to side-foot home.
McLoughlin rifled another long-range effort just over the crossbar, while Plymouth defender Bali Mumba’s blocked shot in the closing stages was his side’s first effort on goal.
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