ALAN Thompson produced a stunning free-kick five minutes into the second half at Hull to give Leeds United their first away win since 25 November but they still slipped to the bottom of the Championship table.

Southend's 3-1 victory over Birmingham took them above Leeds on goal difference but with QPR and Luton both dropping back and Hull being sucked back into the pack, Leeds will see this win as a big plus.

It was a notable win because with Kevin Nicholls, Shaun Derry, Ian Westlake, Robbie Elliott, Gary Kelly, Ian Moore, Tore Andre Flo and Graham Stack all injured, manager Dennis Wise had to field a makeshift team.

Leeds settled the better in the cauldron atmosphere of the KC Stadium and came close to an early goal when Boaz Myhill tipped round Thompson's free-kick.

Thompson looked a class above most of the players and it was from another of his set-pieces that Leeds went in front, Matt Heath poking home his first goal for the club.

But deep into injury time at the break, Hull hit back, Nicky Forster forcing the ball in after Leeds failed to deal with a free-kick.

The home side thought they had taken the lead a minute into the second half when ex-York striker John Parkin had a goal ruled out for offside.

Four minutes later, Thompson produced another superbly flighted free-kick which flew into the corner of the Tigers' net.

Leeds had to withstand some late Hull pressure, and it took a brilliant tackle by stand-in skipper Jonathan Douglas to deny Forster a last ditch equaliser as battling United hung on for a priceless victory.

Leeds match facts

Coca-Cola Premiership: Hull City 1, Leeds United 2 (at KC Stadium)Hull City: Myhill, Ricketts, Turner, Delaney, Dawson, France (Bridges 61), Ashbee, Marney, Forster, Parkin (Duffy 85), Windass (Elliott 79). Subs (not used): Duke, Coles. Booked: Turner. Goal: Forster 45.

Leeds United: Sullivan, Armando Sa (Einarsson 85), Heath, Rui Marques, Richardson, Thompson, Douglas, Howson, Lewis (Crainey 81), Healy (Blake 90), Kandol. Subs (not used): Carole, Tom Elliott. Booked: Lewis, Heath, Kandol, Healy. Goals: Heath 21, Thompson 50.

Referee: Phil Joslin (Notts).

Attendance: 24,311 (Stadium record).