Ings’ 10th goal of the season, his first strike since finding the net at Manchester United 10 games ago, settled a nervy encounter and pushed the Tigers deep into relegation trouble.

But after relying on results from elsewhere, victories for Leicester City and Aston Villa - plus Newcastle United’s point at home to WBA – meant that even a fifth straight win at the KC Stadium could not keep Burnley’s hopes alive.

The Clarets were unchanged from the side that lost controversially at West Ham seven days earlier.

But there was a return to the bench for Sam Vokes, following a thigh injury that forced him to miss two games.

And after a confident start from the visitors, Hull slowly found their feet to apply some pressure.

City knew that Sunderland’s victory at Everton in the lunchtime game, combined with two final fixtures away at Spurs and at home to Manchester United, increased their need for three points.

And a Robbie Brady free kick that was blocked, followed by Tom Huddelstone’s deflected free kick, raised the volume levels inside the KC.

Jason Shackell’s terrific clearance inside the six-yard box, from Brady’s dangerous cut-back, then denied the Tigers a further goalscoring opportunity.

Brady then dug out a cross from the left for the best chance of the game so far, which the inrushing Ahmed Elmohamady wasted by heading tamely over at the far post.

Burnley had enjoyed plenty of possession, without cutting through the Tigers defence. And Ashley Barnes cut a frustrated figure on the half hour when he lost his marker, but headed Kieran Trippier’s inswinging corner over the angle.

And the Clarets striker’s header soon forced the first save of the game from Steve Harper, when Matt Taylor picked him out in a crowded box.

But Brady continued to be a thorn in Burnley’s side and with nine minutes of the half remaining, the left back clipped the top of the crossbar with a free kick from distance.

With wins a must for both sides, there was an element of surprise at the lack of clear-cut chances in a nervy opening half.

To read the full match report please click on the link below;

Match Report