Hull City 2 Middlesbrough 4: Pearson hit by Tigers injury troubles

The damage was done in the first half when dreadful defending allowed the visitors to build a 4-1 lead, including a Scott McDonald hat-trick.

City battled hard to try and make amends in the second 45 minutes but there was no way back, meaning they now trail the play-off places by three points with three games to play.

To make matters worse for the Tigers, Burnley beat Derby County to leafrog over them to claim eighth place – level on 66 points with both Nottingham Forest and Leeds United.

After Matty Fryatt had twice gone close, Anthony Gerrard had given the home fans hope of a comeback with a stunning goal on 69 minutes.

Collecting a short free-kick, the loanee looked up before drilling a low 25-yard daisy-cutter into the corner of the net.

Sensing a way back into the game, Hull poured forward and Paul Smith had to beat away a Robert Koren free-kick before Jay Simpson shot high and wide.

Boro also came close to adding a fifth when Leroy Lita fired against the underside of the crossbar in stoppage time.

Manager Nigel Pearson said: “I don’t think you can legislate for a first half like that. Sometimes you get days like today and it’s a massive disappointment because it’s a missed opportunity.

“Three wins might not be enough but there are nine points to play for and I won’t tolerate anyone sulking.

“We’ve got a few problems going into Monday. Liam Rosenior has picked up a medial ligament injury and it could be the end of his season, while Robert Koren’s got a hamstring problem and with Vito Mannone it’s his shoulder again.”