Substitute Alex Gilbert's stoppage time lifted Middlesbrough to a hard-fought 1-0 win over struggling Hull at the MKM Stadium.
It looked set to be a frustrating New Year's Day for Boro as Ivor Pandur made a string of saves and on the one occasion the Hull goalkeeper was beaten, Hayden Hackney's effort popped off the woodwork.
But just as the visitors looked on course for a fourth successive draw, Gilbert struck in the third minute of the four added minutes to lift Michael Carrick's side to fifth in the Championship.
Gilbert had only been on the pitch for a few minutes but he turned in fellow substitute Delano Burgzorg's low cross for his first league goal of the season as Hull returned to the relegation zone.
The Tigers had moved out of the bottom three last time out with the win at Blackburn, but although the last gasp of this defeat was harsh, they were thoroughly in second place for the final hour.
They initially subdued their opponents, although they suffered significant disappointment when Finn Azaz came forward early, unable to take advantage of Alfie Jones' dispossession in his own area.
After a dull opening half hour, Middlesbrough upped the tempo before half-time when Emmanuel Latte Lath shot straight at Pandur, who then turned over Riley McGree's dazzling 25-yard effort.
Hull made a double substitution when play resumed, with the arrival of Xavier Simons and Ryan Giles, a former Middlesbrough loanee whose left side was exploited when Azaz struck low across goal.
Giles provided a teasing cross for an onrushing Isaiah Jones, while Daniel Barlaser's audacious effort headed straight from a corner over the crossbar as Boro continued to knock on the door.
Middlesbrough's calls for a penalty fell on deaf ears when Isaiah Jones' cross hit Giles' back arm in the penalty area before Carrick introduced Ben Doak, Burgzorg and Neto Borges.
Doak immediately made his presence felt, making his way into the penalty area and setting up for Hayden Hackney, whose first goal crashed off the inside of the post with a static helpless Pandur.
Burgzorg was allowed to turn and fire into the area, but Pandur did brilliantly at his near post to punch away, while the Croatian shot-stopper was on full display to deny Azaz's long-range effort.
However, Pandur was denied a second successive clean sheet when Burgzorg broke down the left and crossed low for substitute Gilbert in the 88th minute, who fired sideways into the net for the first time.
The administrators
Ruben Selles from Hull:
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Michael Carrick from Middlesbrough:
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