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David Nugent headed home a stoppage time winner to earn Middlesbrough FC a dramatic 1-0 win over Hull City.

The substitute was in the perfect spot at the perfect time to convert Albert Adomah's cross as Boro ended a turbulent week with a huge result against one of their main promotion rivals.

The dramatic late goal sent the Riverside into raptures as Aitor Karanka's name was sung loud and proud, on a night when Boro reaffirmed their automatic promotion credentials.

Cristhian Stuani came closest for Boro in the first half as he flicked a header goal-bound, but it was hacked off the line by Andrew Robertson.

But that was the only real effort of note as Boro huffed and puffed, but were ultimately frustrated in the first half by the Championship's tightest defence.

Robert Snodgrass almost handed Hull the lead just before the break as he lashed into the side netting, and in the second half the Tigers improved further and looked the more likely to score.

Striker Sone Aluko forced Dimi Konstantopoulos into a smart save, but it was looked like it was going to be another frustrating night in front of goal for Boro.

The much-needed quality in the final third was missing for the most part, but there was to be late drama as Boro grabbed a crucial breakthrough in stoppage time.

Adomah received the ball on the right and crossed for Nugent on the penalty spot, and the ex-Leicester forward produced a stunning header into the bottom corner to hand Boro all three points.

Here is the blow-by-blow report of tonight's match:

5 mins - CHANCE - Frenetic start with half-chances at both ends, with Cristhian Stuani first seeing his shot blocked before Hull poured forward on the counter attack, but Mo Diame's curling effort was straight at Dimi Konstantopoulos.

11 mins - CHANCE - Poor pass from Stuani falls straight to Robert Snodgrass on the right, who lashes a low effort just wide of the post.

14 mins - CHANCE - It's off the line as Boro threaten from a corner, with Stuani's near post header volleyed off the line by Andrew Robertson.

17 mins - CHANCE - Boro threaten down the left again as George Friend finds Jordan Rhodes in the box, and the striker flicks around the corner for Stuani, six yards out, but the Uruguay international's header is harmlessly wide.

21 mins - CHANCE - Grant Leadbitter throws himself at Gaston Ramirez's corner from the right, but it's well wide of Allan McGregor's near post.

28 mins - CHANCE - Another Boro raid down the left as Adomah sticks an early cross into Rhodes, and the forward shoots while on the turn - but it's blocked by Curtis Davies.

32 mins - BOOKING - Mo Diame is booked for a foul on Tomas Kalas.

34 mins - CHANCE - Best opening so far for the visitors as Sam Clucas cuts down the left and crosses deep to the back post for the unmarked Snodgrass, but his right-footed effort hits the side netting.

44 mins - CHANCE - Dangerous spell for Boro as Hull turn the screw, and Snodgrass fires a low ball to the edge of the box where Jake Livermore is lurking, but his side-footed effort is blocked and the home side hack the ball clear.

45 + 2 mins - BOOKING - Leadbitter is booked for delaying the restart.

Half time: Boro 0 Hull City 0

47 mins - CHANCE - It's half an opening for the visitors early into the second half as Clucas smashes a high ball into the box from the left, and Snodgrass wins his aerial duel - but can't control the header and it goes well wide.

53 mins - BOOKING - Leadbitter's slack pass is pounced upon by Sone Aluko who makes big strides into the Boro half, but Adam Clayton hacks the forward down and receives a yellow card.

58 mins - CHANCE - The Tigers are well on top at the moment as Aluko brushes off George Friend and reaches the edge of the box, but his curling effort is clawed over the top by Konstantopoulos.

61 mins - SUBSTITUTION - Stewart Downing replaces Stuani in Boro's first change of the match.

71 mins - SUBSTITUTION - Rhodes is replaced by David Nugent in Boro's second change.

73 mins - SUBSTITUTION - First change for Hull as Aluko is replaced by top scorer Abel Hernandez

78 mins - SUBSTITUTION - Snodgrass is replaced by Ahmed Elmohamady in Hull's second change.

82 mins - CHANCE - Big opportunity for Hull to grab the breakthrough as Diame skips past Leadbitter down the left and tees up Hernandez, but his shot is blocked by Ben Gibson before Elmohamady fires the loose ball horribly over the top.

90+1 mins - GOAL - Boro have nicked it at the death as Nugent heads Adomah's cross from the right into the far corner past McGregor, as the Riverside erupts!

90+2 mins - SUBSTITUTION - Adam Forshaw replaces Ramirez in Boro's final change.

Full time: Boro 1 Hull City 0

Boro: Konstantopoulos, Nsue, Kalas, Gibson, Friend, Clayton, Leadbitter, Stuani (Downing 61), Ramirez (Forshaw 90+2), Adomah, Rhodes (Nugent 71). Subs not used: Agazzi, Fry, De Laet, de Sart.

Hull City: McGregor, Odubajo, Davies, Dawson, Robertson, Huddlestone, Livermore, Snodgrass (Elmohamady 78), Diame, Clucas, Aluko (Hernandez 73). Subs not used: Jakupovic, Bruce, Maguire, Diomande, Akpom.