Hull City 4 Middlesbrough 2

Middlesbrough remain deep in relegation trouble after a 4-2 defeat to fellow strugglers Hull City at the KCOM Stadium.

The Teessiders even had the boost of an early lead when Alvaro Negredo turned in Adama Traore’s fifth-minute cross.

But Lazar Markovic soon equalised by forcing in Andrew Robertson’s deflected delivery before Oumar Niasse took advantage of Abel Hernandez’s knock-down.

Hernandez then added a third goal for the hosts, only for Boro midfielder Marten de Roon to head in during first-half injury-time despite appearing offside.

However, their opponents later made sure of the points with Harry Maguire heading in Robertson’s 70th minute free-kick.

Niasse had already seen an effort ruled out by the time that Negredo slid onto Traore’s cross and gave the visitors an early lead.

Nine minutes later Markovic slotted in from around six-yards to level before Niasse’s low drive improved upon that as the half-hour approached.

Striker Negredo next called home keeper Eldin Jakupovic into action from Traore’s cross, while Stewart Downing also delivered for Rudi Gestede’s header to be turned onto the crossbar.

But the Tigers had already extended their advantage with Hernandez tucking in from close-range after Maguire released Kamil Grosicki.

Goalscorer Negredo replied by curling an attempt wide before de Roon headed in Downing’s stoppage-time corner after Ben Gibson had initially challenged.

Victor Valdes produced a full-length save from Alfred N’Diaye after the break, but was beaten again when Maguire was left unchecked to head in a clinching fourth goal.

Their defeat leaves Boro now seven points behind their latest opponents in the table, although with still a game in hand.

Hull City: Jakupovic, Elmohamady, Ranocchia, Maguire (Dawson 81), Robertson, Grosicki (Henriksen 88), N’Diaye, Clucas, Markovic, Niasse, Hernandez (Goebel 51)

subs (unused): Meyler, Maloney, Diomande, Marshall

Goals: Markovic (14), Niasse (27), Hernandez (33), Maguire (70)

Middlesbrough: Valdes, Barragan, Ayala, Gibson, Husband (Guedioura 59), Traore, Clayton, de Roon, Downing, Negredo (Bamford 71), Gestede (Stuani 81)

subs (unused): Bernardo, Leadbitter, Guzan, Forshaw

Goals: Negredo (5), de Roon (45)

Ref: M. Oliver

Att: 20,380