Alan Lee's header midway through the second-half gave Town the points but Blues miss out on the Play-Offs by a single point.

The Republic of Ireland international came off the bench to strike within 30 seconds to give Jim Magilton's side the victory, extending the run of only one defeat in 26 League games at Portman Road.

Watford's draw at Blackpool and Crystal Palace's win over Burnley leaves Town in eighth place, with Wolves in seventh. Hull denied automatic promotion but a place in the Play-Offs.

Kuqi came back into the starting line-up, Danny Haynes making way as the team came out to a rousing reception from both sets of supporters. Former Blue WayneBrown in the Hull line-up.

Town looked to have made the perfect start when Kuqi had the ball in the net on two minutes. The Finland international headed in after Pablo Counago had hit the bar but once again the fates seemed to conspire against Jim Magilton's side in a crucial decision with referee Andre Marriner going with his assistant's offside flag when the Crystal Palace loanee was clearly on.

Dean Marney fired over the bar in Hull's first attack, the former Tottenham midfielder then picking up a yellow card for a foul on Tommy Miller.

Sam Ricketts cleared from Kuqi as he looked to get in on goal, then Miller hit the post with Brown becoming the second Tiger to be booked, the defender catching Counago late in the build up to Miller's chance.

Alex Bruce headed over the bar, with Alan Quinn failing to get enough on his shot to trouble Boaz Myhill as Town pressed for the opening.

Ricketts was booked after pulling back Quinn, Town's Irishman in the thick of the action, his left foot shot going just over.

Dean Windass fired a 30 yard free-kick well wide, Fraizer Campbell blocked off by Manchester United team-mate Danny Simpson as he looked to get in on Marney's pass.

Kuqi failed to connect after an excellent run and pass by David Wright down the left flank before Counago's frustration got the better of him and he was yellow carded in the final stages of the first-half for a foul on Marney.

Quinn had the first shot of the second-half, the former Sheffield United player blazing just wide from 25 yards.

Haynes replaced Kuqi on 52 minutes, Jon Walters pushed up front alongside Counago. Andy Dawson doing well to head back to Myhill as Quinn burst forward.

Haynes was immediately in the action, his cross from the right headed back by Quinn but Miller couldn't get on the knock down.

Bruce threw himself in rob Caleb Folan as he looked to drive clear, Owen Garvan then set up a chance for Counago with a terrific run, his cross diverted wide by the Spaniard's left foot.

Miller cleared from Ricketts as Hull tried to prise open the Town defence but it was Blues that continued to create the better openings, Quinn heading over from Haynes' cross, the wideman then blazing wide from 12 yards.

Craig Fagan replaced Bryan Hughes on the hour, Jason De Vos heading inches wide from a corner.Hull making a second change with Nicky Barmby on for Folan.

More good work by Garvan set up a chance for Counago, the striker's shot deflected wide by Dawson.

Town scrambled clear a corner as Ian Ashbee challenged, Lee coming on for Quinn on 67 minutes and the striker scored with his second touch, heading in Walters' return header.

Stephen Bywater held firm from Ashbee's header as Hull looked to respond, Simpson robbing Windass as he prepared to strike.

Town had a strong penalty appeal when Ricketts handled Haynes' cross, referee Marriner waving away Blues' shouts. Dawson yellow carded for a foul on Walters.

Dawson sent a free-kick over as the game entered the last 10 minutes, Velice Sumulikoski replacing Counago.

Bywater smothered the danger from Campbell as he looked to get in on the end of long ball, Hull sending players forward at will in the search for an equaliser.

Lee cleared from Marney's free-kick, while Garvan was denied by Ricketts' challenge, with Sumulikoski firing wide with the last opening of the game.

Both sets of supporters stood at the final whistle to salute the players with Hull looking forward to the Play-Offs and Town clearly making progress from a below mid-table finish last season.

Town: Bywater, Simpson, De Vos, Bruce, Wright, Walters, Garvan, Miller, Quinn (Lee 68), Counago (Sumulikoski 80), Kuqi (Haynes 52). Subs not used: Colgan, Sito. Booked: Counago.

Hull: Myhill, Ricketts, Brown, Turner, Dawson, Hughes (Fagan 61), Marney, Ashbee. Windass, Campbell, Folan (Barmby 65). Subs not used: Duke, Doyle, Walton. Booked: Marney, Brown, Ricketts, Dawson.

Att: 28, 233