Egan goal
Image caption, John Egan scored his first goal since September to give Hull a lead for the third time
Hull ended a three-game winless run and kept their automatic promotion hopes alive as late goals from John Egan and Lewis Koumas saw them overcome play-off rivals Derby.
The game was in the balance until the 75th minute, after a four-goal first half that saw Hull lead twice through a Callum Elder own goal and a fine Ollie McBurnie strike, only for Derby to equalise twice with goals from Craig Forsyth and Sammie Szmodics.
But John Egan's first goal since September, finishing off a well-worked passing move from the hosts, gave them the lead again, before Koumas sealed three points for Sergej Jakirovic's side, just two minutes after coming on as a substitute.
The result keeps Hull six points behind Middlesbrough, who are in the top two of the Championship, while Derby, who have lost three of their last four, now sit six points from the play-off spots.
Both sides came into the match struggling for form, but knowing victory could be vital for their promotion chances.
Hull, whose shock 3-1 loss to QPR over the weekend dented their chances of reaching the top two, started well, and were rewarded when Amir Hadziahmetovic's swinging corner rebounded off Elder into the net.
Forsyth's cool side-footed finish levelled the scores after 17 minutes, before McBurnie's brilliant finish inside the box gave the hosts the lead again.
John Eustace's side, beaten by fellow play-off rivals Watford at the weekend, came back for a second time, buoyed by the performance of striker Patrick Agyemang.
He was a constant threat, setting up Szmodics with a cross from the right to level the scores once again.
After a tense start to the second half Egan's goal gave Hull a precious lead, before Koumas' breakaway goal secured all three points for The Tigers, who leapfrogged Millwall into fourth off the back of their victory.