Stuart Elliott's late own-goal salvaged Norwich a point they barely deserved at the KC Stadium.

Second best for most of the afternoon and lifeless to the point of being disinterested, Nigel Worthington's men looked set for a fourth consecutive defeat after Leon Cort headed Hull into a 25th-minute lead.

Under-pressure Worthington would have been desperate to avoid following last Sunday's humbling reverse at home to bitter rivals Ipswich, and his prayers were answered three minutes before full-time when Hull paid the price for digging their trenches too early.

Gary Doherty's scuffed strike from close range hit the shin of the unfortunate Elliott to leave Hull ithout a home win in five attempts and send Worthington back to Norfolk a relieved man.

Despite being without new loan-signing Mark Noble, who suffered a training-ground injury earlier in the week, Hull were impressive from the start and created the first meaningful attempt on goal when Darryl Duffy screwed a 20-yard effort wide of the target.

Norwich rarely gave Rob Earnshaw and Peter Thorne the chance to showcase their attacking credentials but they should have at least exploited the space afforded them by Hull in midfield - a trait which was to worsen as the game progressed.

But just when it seemed the visitors would go for the jugular, Hull conjured up the opening goal five minutes before the half-hour mark.

The lively Duffy forced a corner on the right from which Andrews sent over a perfect outswinging delivery towards Cort.

Norwich somehow allowed the tallest man on the pitch to go unmarked, and the former Southend centre-back planted a fine downward header past Rob Green and into the back of the net from six yards.

The situation nearly deteriorated further for Norwich five minutes after the interval when Hull's Jon Parkin belied his somewhat paunchy physique with a dexterous swivel and turn past Zesh Rehman.

Parkin's 10-yard strike was parried by Green into the path of Duffy, who should have done better with the follow-up.

Norwich finally awoke from their soporific demeanour when left-winger Darren Huckerby chipped a ball into the feet of Jonatan Johansson, whose wasteful volley trickled straight at Myhill.

Unfortunately for Norwich fans, their team's improvement was to prove a fleeting experience as Hull shut up shot, while occasionally rising above the parapet with the odd counter-attack.

However, Norwich somehow restored parity when substitute Leon McKenzie hooked over a ball to Doherty, whose attempt at goal took a huge deflection off Elliott and into the back of the net.

Hull Myhill, France, Cort, Collins, Delaney, Ellison, Andrews,Welsh, Elliott, Parkin, Duffy (Fagan 66).

Subs Not Used: Duke, Paynter, Green, Lynch.

Booked: Collins, France.

Goals: Cort 26.

Norwich Green, Fleming, Rehman, Doherty, Drury,Thorne (McKenzie 73), Safri (Robinson 88), Hughes, Huckerby,Earnshaw, Johansson (McVeigh 73).

Subs Not Used: Etuhu, Gallacher.

Booked: Doherty, Safri.

Goals: Delaney 87 og.

Att: 20,527

Ref: J Moss (West Yorkshire).