Substitute Garry O'Connor headed a late winner as Birmingham finally beat Boaz Myhill to claim a scrappy win at Hull.

Myhill had been outstanding throughout an eventful Barclays Premier League encounter at the KC Stadium, producing brilliant saves from the lively Christian Benitez and Lee Bowyer.

Joe Hart was also kept busy in the Birmingham goal and Hull's Seyi Olofinjana hit the bar late on but O'Connor's 75th-minute effort proved decisive.

It was only Birmingham's third goal of the season but the reasons why Hull went into the game with the worst defence in the competition were only too evident.

Ecuador striker Benitez, making his first league start, was a threat throughout and was unlucky to come up against Myhill in such good form.

Yet Blues could consider themselves fortunate to come away with the point as Hart was the least convincing of the two keepers and Hull caused some moments of panic in his area.

Hull had an early chance after Stephen Carr was booked for a foul on Stephen Hunt on the left.

Hunt swung in the resulting free-kick towards Jozy Altidore and Kamil Zayatte also seemed to get a touch in the ensuing scramble but Birmingham cleared.

Hunt continued his lively start with a swerving shot from 30 yards moments later but Hart parried to safety.

Birmingham's first chance came as Benitez showed good skill on the edge of the area and turned neatly to shoot but Myhill saved low down and Andy Dawson cleared.

It was the first of three good saves in quick succession from the Wales international as Birmingham enjoyed a good spell.

Myhill first pushed away a Barry Ferguson flick and then quickly regained his feet to tip over a fierce drive from Bowyer.

Gary McSheffrey then flashed wide from outside the edge of the box as Birmingham, despite their poor scoring record, showed some promise.

Hull responded as Olofinjana made a powerful run into the box and squared across goal but Scott Dann slid in and forced Altidore to scuff his shot.

Geovanni tried his luck from 25 yards but his low effort bobbled wide.

The Brazilian then fired in a dangerous cross but Roger Johnson's touch took it away from Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, who was making his first Hull start.

A long throw by Ibrahima Sonko was unconvincingly punched away by Hart but Birmingham just managed to hack behind as Vennegoor of Hesselink threatened.

Benitez, sporting a bandage after a clash of heads with Zayatte, created another opportunity on the stroke of half-time but Myhill tipped over.

Altidore worked his way into the box early in the second half but Hart saved after the American checked and shot left-footed.

Paul McShane then failed to cut out a Stuart Parnaby pass and allowed Birmingham to break but Hull survived as Keith Fahey headed McSheffrey's cross wide.

Geovanni tested Hart again with another good effort from the edge of the box from a Vennegoor of Hesselink lay-off but the keeper was again alert.

Myhill was soon back in the thick of the action as Parnaby found himself wide open on the right but shot straight at the Hull keeper.

Myhill then produced an even better point-blank save from Bowyer after Johnson had risen high to knock down a corner from McSheffrey.

Hull survived another scare after a Hart goalkick found its way to Benitez but he was unable to get a shot away.

Hull had another turn in the ascendancy with Carr heading away a delicate McShane cross at the far post and substitute Kamel Ghilas having a shot blocked for a corner.

But play quickly switched the other end as Benitez skipped past Dawson and Myhill again saved at the expense of a corner.

Fahey's delivery from the set-piece was perfect and found O'Connor, who came on for McSheffrey just after the hour, unmarked to head home at the near post.

Hull, in their response, appealed for a penalty after Hunt went down under a challenge from Dann but Phil Dowd gave nothing.

The Tigers rallied for one late charge and Geovanni shot wide before Olofinjana headed against the bar from a corner. Another goalmouth scramble ensued but Blues somehow held out.

Teams:

Hull Myhill, Dawson, Zayatte, Sonko, McShane, Hunt,Marney (Barmby 70), Olofinjana, Geovanni, Altidore (Ghilas 63),Vennegoor of Hesselink (Mendy 78).

Subs Not Used: Warner, Halmosi, Kilbane, Boateng.

Birmingham Hart, Parnaby, Dann, Roger Johnson, Carr,McSheffrey (O'Connor 62), Bowyer, Tainio, Ferguson, Fahey,Benitez.

Subs Not Used: Maik Taylor, Phillips, Espinoza, O'Shea, Sammons.

Booked: Carr, O'Connor.

Goals: O'Connor 75.

Att: 23,759

Ref: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire).