WHAT a moment for Alex Gilbert. And Jonny Howson in the Middlesbrough away end!

The injured captain was in with the fans as Gilbert led the celebrations at full-time after coming off the bench to score in the fourth and final minute of stoppage time and secure a massive and much-needed 1-0 win at Hull City.

Boro looked set to continue their frustrating habit of letting points slip away, having to failed to turn their dominance into goals against a poor home side. But Gilbert - who has endured frustrations of his own since joining the club from Brentford in the summer of 2023 - was on hand to prod home the cross of fellow substitute Delano Burgzorg in the final seconds.

It could prove to be a massive moment in the season for Boro, who climb upto fifth courtesy of their New Year's Day victory. And how that goal can shift the narrative. Boro are unbeaten in four and have kept successive clean sheets. The celebrations in the dugout after Gilbert's goal told of the importance of this win.

The shut-out was never in doubt against a limited Tigers team that lacked ambition, but the relegation threatened hosts looked set to at least hold on to a point.

How often this season have Boro been left to regret missed opportunities. Here, they found a way. If that's a sign of things to come in 2025 then the future can be promising.

Whether it was sparked by the recent flurry of fixtures or the fact Boro had failed to win in three games, Carrick opted to ring the changes, which included dropping Neto Borges to the bench and resting Ben Doak. Burgzorg and George Edmundson also dropped out, with the available again Rav van den Berg coming in alongside Lukas Engel, who was making his first start since August, Riley McGree and Isaiah Jones.

For Jones, it was a reward for a couple of bright cameos from the bench and the alert winger made Boro’s first chance of the evening when he robbed the dawdling Sean McLoughlin of possession inside his own box before Finn Azaz fired over.

Hull, who have improved and had won two of their last three under new boss Ruben Selles had a confident spell of early possession but failed to turn it into chances, with Tom Glover – again in goal in the absence of Sol Brynn and Seny Dieng – untested. The same could be said of Ivor Pandur at the other end until he made a superb save at full stretch to tip over a right-footed McGree shot from distance.

By the end of the half, Boro had gained control without hurting Hull, though the hosts were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty for a clumsy Lewie Coyle challenge on Jones.

There was a lot of Boro possession but thrust, urgency and quality in the final third was lacking.

Ryan Giles was introduced at half-time and told by the away fans that he should have “signed for the Boro”, before the travelling Teessiders turned the attention of their song-book to Howson, who joined them in the far corner at the MKM Stadium.

Come the hour mark, Hull still hadn’t managed a shot on target and could hardly get the ball off Boro, but Carrick’s side were still struggling to turn their territory into openings. It was no surprise to hear Boro fans chanting the name of Doak, a clear message to Carrick to make a change. Ten minutes later, the supporters had their wish. On went Doak alongside Burgzorg and Borges.

And the Liverpool loanee was instantly involved in the move that so nearly led to the opening goal, with Hackney’s shot from the edge of the box coming back off the inside of the post. Hull looked increasingly desperate and were kicking for touch as often as the rugby league side who share their stadium. The substitutes were again involved as Boro created another good opening, with Doak crossing for Burgzorg, who had a shot on the swivel that was well kept out by Pandur. The increasingly busy home keeper then denied Azaz.

Hull steadied the ship and looked set to earn a point until Gilbert came up with the winner.