Hull's first-ever visit to the Britannia Stadium was a profitable one as an own goal from Darel Russell and strikes from Jon Parkin and Darryl Duffy secured victory over a Stoke side that twice failed to score from the penalty spot.

Russell put the ball into his own net in the first half before Parkin grabbed his second goal in as many games soon after the restart while Duffy scored his first goal for the club since signing from Falkirk late on to ensure a deserved victory.

However, the home side twice had the chance to drag themselves back into the game but amazingly failed to score from the spot first through Paul Gallagher and again through Luke Chadwick.

The victory brought an end to a run of three successive defeats in the Coca-Cola Championship for Hull but left Stoke still looking for a first win of the year.

Parkin signalled Hull's intent when he hit a second-minute volley from close range towards goal that Stoke goalkeeper Steve Simonsen did well to tip behind for a corner.

But the Tigers did not have to wait long and were ahead five minutes later when Keith Andrews fired a free-kick into the area for Leon Cort.

The defender headed wide from close range but Stuart Elliott popped up soon after to hit the ball towards goal and the unfortunate Russell succeeded in only turning the ball into his own net.

The visitors were well in control of the opening exchanges and Jason Price was unlucky to see his drilled effort palmed to safety by Simonsen soon after.

Stoke, without top scorer Sambegou Bangoura who is away at the African Nations Cup with Guinea, fashioned their first chance of the half when Mamady Sidibe's strong effort was saved by Hull goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Myhill had to be alert to save Karl Henry's long-range shot in the 22nd minute while Gallagher's effort flew over the bar soon after as the Potters started to take a hold the game.

But Hull were denied a glorious chance to add to their lead just before half-time when Andrews' corner was volleyed goalwards by Sam Collins and Simonsen saved brilliantly to keep Stoke in the game.

Almost straight after the restart the home side should have drawn level when Collins fouled Gallagher in the box and the on-loan Blackburn man stepped up take the penalty. However Myhill guessed the right way to deny the spot-kick and keep Hull in front.

The save proved crucial as in the 55th minute the Tigers went further ahead. Parkin latched on to a cross from Craig Fagan and fired beyond the hapless Simonsen.

And it just didn't look like being Stoke's day when, extraordinarily, they failed to scored from the spot again in the 63rd minute.

The referee pointed to the spot after a push on Peter Sweeney and this time Chadwick stepped up but he sent his spot-kick straight towards the grateful Myhill.

And it was game over for Stoke when, with nine minutes remaining, substitute Duffy drilled home to ensure an emphatic victory for the visitors.

Teams

Stoke Simonsen, Buxton, Hoefkens, Duberry, Broomes, Chadwick (Harper 70), Russell, Henry, Sweeney, Gallagher, Sidibe, Harper (Rooney 78).

Subs Not Used: Junior, de Goey, Kopteff.

Booked: Broomes, Duberry, Rooney.

Hull Myhill, France, Cort, Delaney, Collins, Price (Duffy 63), Andrews, Welsh, Elliott (Ellison 86), Fagan (Wiseman 83), Parkin.

Subs Not Used: Paynter, Leite.

Booked: France, Elliott, Collins, Fagan.

Goals: Russell 7 og, Parkin 55, Duffy 81.

Att: 13,444

Ref: A D'Urso (Essex).