Match Centre: Hull City 2 Cardiff City 1

The veteran struck just a couple of minutes after being brought off the bench to settle an absorbing contest and ensure the Tigers leapfrogged over Cardiff City into sixth place.

After a tame first half, the second 45 minutes were a huge improvement with all manner of incident keeping the crowd glued.

Initially, Hull dominated and should have extended their lead, particularly when Matty Fryatt raced clear only to stop thinking he had been flagged offside.

The only problem was he hadn’t with the linesman having waved play-on, the upshot being the Cardiff defence getting back to clear the danger.

It was a let-off and one the visitors capitalised on when Joe Ralls thumped a 25-yard shot past Adriano Basso to bring the scores level.

Buoyed to be on level terms, Cardiff poured forward and when Filip Kiss was bundled to the ground by Jack Hobbs referee Colin Webster pointed straight to the spot.

As the Welsh fans celebrated, however, Webster then headed over to his linesman who had adjudged the Cardiff player to be offside. Webster immediately changed his mind and awarded the home team a free-kick.

Nineteen minutes from time, Hull regained the lead when a sweeping move saw Robbie Brady curl an exquisite cross for Barmby to tap home at the far post.

“Nick has always had a very positive impact for us,” Nigel Pearson said. “He is a player who brings quality to the team.

“We’re not just a squad of young players but our young players have great potential, and Nick is a role model for them.

“During the week he’s more of a player than a coach, but this is his club and it means a lot to him.

“The most important thing for me is that I know he can still perform. He’s not just a cosmetic extra.”

Hull, who ended Cardiff’s six-match unbeaten run, have now avoided defeat in their last six matches themselves.

“There are lots of teams that will think they have a chance, but we’ve made some great progress,” Pearson said.

“The players can be very pleased with their performance and there is an air of confidence about them.”

Fryatt ensured Hull City went in ahead at the break.

The Tigers striker showed great persistence to create the opening six minutes before the break before coolly finishing from close range.

Fryatt’s goal was the highlight of a 45 minutes long on endeavour but short on genuine chances.

The game’s first opening had come on 13 minutes courtesy of a bizarre, rugby-style challenge by Martin Pusic on Cardiff full-back Kevin McNaughton.

It was enough to earn the debutant a yellow card, while from the resulting free-kick Peter Whittingham curled a shot that Adriano Basso held at the second attempt.

Robbie Brady also stung David Marshall’s hands with a rasping drive before Martin Waghorn headed a Leroy Rosenior cross wide of the post.

Fryatt’s goal came following a pass from Pusic that sent the Tigers striker through on goal and he held off Mark Hudson’s challenge to score.

The three points saw Hull move back into the play-off places. They are sixth on 17 points.

For the full report and reaction read Sports Monday, free inside Monday’s Yorkshire Post.