Barmby demands that Tigers roll up their sleeves against Boro

“We’ve given ourselves a mountain to climb,” admitted manager Nicky Barmby.

“But I won’t tolerate anyone throwing in the towel. We’re in a rut but we need to roll up our sleeves and get a result and a performance worthy of Hull City.

“It was frustrating on Saturday. We had most of the game but didn’t create enough. I’ve got no complaints with the result and I’m not particularly happy about our performance.”

A memorial service and minutes’ applause were held before the game for former Lions centre-half Barry Kitchener, who died a week ago aged 64 and Barmby continued: “Obviously we knew the day it was and the respect the Millwall legend had, but it’s always difficult to come here and we didn’t get to grips with it.”

Kenny Jackett was proud of his Millwall side after they gave club legend Kitchener a fitting send-off. Goals from Harry Kane and Andy Keogh fired the Lions to a first home victory in 2012 on an emotional afternoon at The Den.

Millwall wore special white kits in memory of their record-appearance holder and came up with the perfect tribute by producing a battling display that one-club ‘Kitch’ would have been proud of.

“I think Barry would have approved,” said Jackett. “It was a good clean sheet, we limited Hull to very few chances, we had a number of chances and winning 2-0 with your front two getting a goal apiece is a good one. It was a vital game, as we are one of the teams down there fighting.”

Teenage striker Kane gave Millwall the lead in the 23rd minute with a brave downward header from James Henry’s corner.

The Tottenham loanee could have had a hat-trick, but he skied one effort at full stretch from under the bar and had a header cleared off the line.

So it was left to Keogh to finish off Hull from the penalty spot when, with nine minutes remaining, he was tripped by Liam Cooper.

As well as easing Millwall’s relegation fears, the victory was also their 1,000th in the league at home, a milestone they had been trying to reach since their last success on Boxing Day.

Injury-hit Hull had made the livelier start and should have opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when Richard Garcia was played in by Corry Evans, but the weak effort was kept out by the legs of Maik Taylor.

Tom Cairney also had a drive saved, Evans shot too high and Robbie Brady headed over.

But the Tigers were largely kept at bay by centre-backs Shane Lowry and Paul Robinson who, in true Kitchener style, were determined to keep a clean sheet.

Millwall: Taylor, Smith (Dunne 59), Robinson, Lowry, Craig, Henry, Wright, Abdou, Bouazza (Feeney 53), Kane, Keogh (Batt 90). Unused substitutes: Forde, Marquis.

Hull City: Mannone, Rosenior (King 70), Bradley, Cooper, Dawson, McKenna, Evans, Garcia, Cairney, Stewart (Fryatt 46), Mclean (Brady 75). Unused substitutes: Gulacsi, Olofinjana.

Referee: D Deadman (Cambridgeshire).

Man of the match: Paul Robinson.