FULL-TIME: Hull City 1 Nottingham Forest 2

Forest manager Billy Davies saw his side collect a sixth win on the bounce, cementing their place in the play-off places as a result, while putting a dent in Hull’s own hopes

Lewis McGugan was the hero as he came off the bench to net the winner with five minutes remaining after Darius Henderson had cancelled out George Boyd’s opener for Hull. The visitors clung on thanks to some heroic last-ditch defending in the closing stages.

McGugan coolly slotted home from eight yards after Danny Collins’ long ball had been headed down by replacement Dexter Blackstock and drilled across the area by another substitute in Billy Sharp.

“We’ve done enough to win two matches, that’s the biggest disappointment,” said Bruce.

“I couldn’t fault the way we played or the way we’ve gone about it.

“To be fair to Forest they’ve gone for it and played three up front, but the attempts we’ve had off the line and the post - it’s just one of those horrible ones where the luck goes against you. Unfortunately it wasn’t our day.”