Noah Ohio kept Hull City’s play-off dreams alive as the substitute’s late goal secured a thrilling victory at beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Coventry City.
The Tigers led 2-1 at half-time, courtesy of Jaden Philogene’s squirmed effort and Fábio Carvalho’s clinical penalty, either side of a magnificent Kasey Palmer free-kick.
Bobby Thomas equalised in the second half before Ohio poked in a 78th-minute winner to move Liam Rosenior’s men to within three points of sixth place.
Liam Delap started for the first time since New Year’s Day, replacing the benched Ozan Tufan in the only alteration from the goalless draw at Watford for the Tigers’ game in hand.
Injury and fatigue forced Mark Robins into five changes from Coventry’s epic semi-final shootout defeat to Manchester United in which the valiant Sky Blues remarkably fought back from three goals down.
With deficits to overcome to reach the Championship play-offs, both teams knew only a win would realistically keep hopes of gate-crashing the top six intact.
Intricate play crafted an early opportunity as Abdüş Ömür and Delap neatly exchanged passes on the edge of the box before the former’s stinging strike was batted behind by Brad Collins.
Carvalho’s corner then dropped for Jacob Greaves on the penalty spot but, on his weaker right foot, the stand-in skipper hooked high over the bar.
The visitors’ dominance was absolute but a goal remained elusive, Philogene jinking past Joel Latibeaudiere to the byline and cutting the ball back for Tyler Morton to sweep over first time.
Alfie Jones’ towering header from another Carvalho corner was claimed comfortably by Collins – but Coventry’s custodian had a moment to forget on the half-hour.
Philogene’s right-footed drive from inside the box should have been routine but the ball bobbled over Collins’ body and squirmed into the net at his near post.
The Tigers’ lead was merited but only lasted five minutes as Coventry levelled with their first attempt.
Palmer stood over a central free-kick 25 yards out and curled an unstoppable effort with pace and precision majestically into the top corner, leaving a helpless Ryan Allsop clutching at thin air.
Undeterred, Philogene’s fizzing strike was palmed over one handed by Collins after a typically flowing move and Matty Jacob looped a header from Ömür’s resulting corner over the top.
The Tigers were left to rue a missed penalty in the Vicarage Road stalemate but were given the chance to regain the lead from 12 yards in first-half injury time.
Latibeaudiere’s trip on Delap was adjudged to have taken place inside the box by referee Leigh Doughty and Carvalho duly stepped up to rifle the subsequent spot-kick emphatically into the top corner.
Possession
45%Shots
14Shots On Target
8Corners
8Fouls
132
0
Cards
4
0
Coventry’s leading marksmen Ellis Simms and Haji Wright were thrown on at the break and the hosts’ greater intensity was rewarded with a second equalising goal just shy of the hour mark.
After the ball was deemed to have stayed in play, Jay Dasilva floated a cross to the back post, where Thomas climbed above Jacob to plant a downward header into the bottom corner.
Lewie Coyle immediately came on for Tyler Morton, followed by Ryan Giles for Jacob 10 minutes later, but the Tigers were still struggling to find the fluency of the first half.
Regan Slater’s stroked shot was straight at Collins before Ohio and Tufan’s introduction for the final quarter of an hour, with Delap and Ömür making way.
The double switch paid instant dividends in extraordinary fashion as Thomas’ under-hit back-pass was chased down by Ohio, who poked the ball past Collins and over the line.
The goal momentarily sucked the energy out of the shell-shocked Sky Blues, but they roused themselves again in the final stages of a captivating content, including eight nervy minutes of added time.
Wright lashed off target, Liam Kiching’s looping header was touched over by Allsop and Dasilva blasted wide as the Tigers clung on for a pulsating 11th away win of the season.
Attendance: 25,023.
Coventry: Collins, Latibeaudiere (van Ewijk 60'), Thomas, Binks (Kitching 65'), Bidwell (Simms 45'), Eccles, Kelly, Sheaf (Allen 77'), Dasilva, Palmer, Godden (Wright 45')
Subs: Wilson, Lusala, Andrews, Dausch
Hull City: Allsop, Slater, Jones, Greaves, Jacob (Giles 69'), Ömür (Ohio 76'), Morton (Coyle 59'), Jean Michaël Seri, Philogene, Delap (Tufan 76'), Fábio Carvalho
Subs: Ingram, McLoughlin, Traoré, Sharp, Christie
Watch extended highlights of Coventry City 2-3 Hull City on Tigers+
