Nat Phillips struck six minutes from time as Derby took a massive step towards Sky Bet Championship survival but Hull’s hopes of similarly avoiding the drop suffered a major blow.
In a low-quality contest that was dubbed a relegation six-pointer between two sides immediately above the bottom three at the start of the day, Phillips’ late header gave the Rams a priceless 1-0 win.
Derby had dropped to 22nd place after Luton’s last-gasp win over Coventry in the lunchtime kick-off but the Rams made it back-to-back away victories – having beaten West Brom on Monday – to move up to 19th.
John Eustace’s side still need to beat Stoke on the last day of the season next weekend to guarantee their second-tier status, which could have a significant say on whether Hull also stay up.
If the Tigers, now 22nd, win at Portsmouth in their final game, that will be enough to finish ahead of the loser of Derby-Stoke, who are one and two points clear respectively of Hull.
Ruben Selles’ side will need an improved showing against Pompey as, while they were on top for much of this clash, they lacked a cutting edge and were unable to test Derby goalkeeper Josh Vickers.
Hull got on the front foot and dominated possession early on but Regan Slater’s scuffed shot was their best chance, while he limped off inside the opening quarter of an hour to be replaced by Steven Alzate.
Derby gradually got a foothold into the game but failed to test Ivor Pandur in the first half, with Kane Wilson’s marauding run cut out by Sean McLoughlin and Harrison Armstrong’s shot deflected wide.
The hosts also desperately lacked inspiration in the final third, underlined by John Egan, who last scored professionally in January 2023 for Sheffield United, curling over from the edge of the area.
Gustavo Puerta and Nordin Amrabat were off-target from distance as Hull showed more urgency after the interval, while Joe Gelhardt’s effort deflected wide with Vickers scrambling to cover.
Gelhardt, whose two second-half penalties secured a 2-1 win over Preston on Monday, then cut onto his left foot following a ball over the top but he miscued wide after firing towards the near post.
Wilson ran at goal and fired an effort over from the edge of the box, while Eustace introduced Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Kayden Jackson to give them some extra impetus as the match neared its closing stages.
But it was centre-half Phillips who scored a scarcely-deserved opener for Derby as he rose highest to head beyond a diving Pandur from Craig Forsyth’s inch-perfect free-kick.
Joao Pedro, Mason Burstow and Matt Crooks were all brought on for Hull but Derby held on, with Alfie Jones’ long-range effort sailing over, the closest the home side came to an equaliser.
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