Dame N’Doye’s late goal saved Hull the embarrassment of a come-from-ahead draw against visiting 10-man QPR, as Hull
Nikica Jelavic also scored for Hull, while Charlie Austin equalized after Joey Barton’s red card condemned the R’s to playing down a man.
The Tigers leap into 15th, safe by four points, while QPR is in a muddled, three-team tie for the final relegation spot (but in 17th on goal differential).
[ RELATED: Watch full match replays ]
The Premier League bottom four:
17. QPR, 22 points, minus-18 GD
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18. Burnley, 22 points, minus-19 GD
19. Aston Villa, 22 points, minus-23 GD
20. Leicester City, 17 points, minus-18 GD
Jelavic opened the scored with a well-timed and powerful side volley of Steven Caulker’s weak clearance. The ball bounded across the box and past Robert Green.
Hull’s striker nearly turned provider with a neat lay-off for Jake Livermore, but Livermore blasted the ball well over the bar.
Barton aided Hull’s chances with a straight red card in the 32nd minute, and it was a touchy sending off from Anthony Taylor. In a scrum with a few players, Barton shoved Alex Bruce and Tom Huddlestone. Perhaps he said something, or maybe his reputation escalated Taylor’s temper.
Matty Phillips’ crosses are saving QPR’s top-flight status, as he served up another beauty for Austin to head home and equalize before halftime.
[ RELATED: Latest Premier League standings ]
Hull worked hard to find the winner, one that would give them a massive three points in this relegation scrap, but Chris Ramsey’s R’s were up for the challenge.
N’Doye headed over late for Hull in what was close to the Tigers’ last gasps, but found another breath in the 89th minute when he darted through a pair of R’s to head Robbie Brady’s cross home.
LINEUPS
Hull City: McGregor, Bruce (Ramirez, 53'), Dawson, Livermore (Hernandez, 67'), McShane, Meyler (Aluko, 82'), Huddlestone, Brady, Elmohamady, Jelavic, N’Doye
Goal: Jelavic (16'), N’Doye (89')
Queens Park Rangers: Green, Furlong, Caulker, Ferdinand, Suk-Young, Phillips, Barton, Henry, Krancjar (Traore, 78'), Austin (Zarate, 75'), Zamora (Doughty, 64')
Goal: Austin (39')
