Hull City climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time since October as they came from behind to earn a crucial victory against relegation rivals Middlesbrough. Their win, coupled with Tottenham''s dramatic late turn-around against Swansea, means Marco Silva''s side move to 17th, two points ahead of the Swans. Alvaro Negredo put Middlesbrough ahead at the KCOM Stadium in just the fifth minute, sliding in to convert Adama Traore''s cross. But Hull - who were excellent throughout - equalised nine minutes later when Lazar Markovic scrambled the ball home following Andrew Robertson''s deflected cross. The Tigers were then ahead on the 27th minute when Oumar Niasse coolly finished from Abel Hernandez''s headed knock-down. Six minutes later Hernandez scored Hull''s third, side-footing home from Kamil Grosicki''s cross before Boro controversially pulled a goal back minutes before half-time. Ben Gibson directed a corner towards goal and Marten de Roon headed home from an offside position inside the six-yard box. Hull were not put off however, controlling much of the second half, and scored their fourth when Harry Maguire powerfully headed in a Robertson free-kick. Defeat for Middlesbrough leaves them 19th seven points from safety with eight games remaining.