Hull City 0 Manchester United 1

HULL boss Phil Brown led the celebrations after his side’s dramatic escape from relegation.

The Tigers were beaten 1-0 by an under-strength Manchester United at the KC Stadium but clung on to their Barclays Premier League place.

Brown went on to the pitch and sang a rendition of the supporters’ ‘‘This is the best trip I’ve ever been on’’ refrain before inviting his players to embark on a lap of honour.

Hull’s survival was a remarkable story. The team took 20 points from their first nine games but then won just two of their next 29.

Brown said: ‘‘I think everyone has expected us this season to be one of the bottom three and I think we have proved a lot of people wrong.

‘‘How we have done it has been different – especially after those first nine games.

‘‘It wasn’t about the one today but the 37 before that and I don’t think anyone can have any complaints.

‘‘We got to where we got to with sheer guts, determination, drive – all of the things that have been questioned at times.’’ Hull were beaten by a stunning strike from United youngster Darron Gibson, who fired home from distance midway through the first half.

That goal put Hull into the relegation zone, as things stood, but the mood lifted before half-time as news of a Villa goal filtered through.

Hull then had to battle through a nervy second half and despite failing to improve their own situation, the news from elsewhere remained good.

Brown added: ‘‘It was at times unbearable because 1-0 is such an important scoreline.

‘‘It can win and lose you games but you are never out of the game.

‘‘With both games being 1-0 I was looking at Ian Ashbee and Jimmy Bullard behind the dugout, both with telephones.

‘‘Did we have to score a goal or could we afford to lose 1-0?

That was a negative vibe I’m not used to – but it was enough.’’ The demise of Newcastle and the future of manager Alan Shearer is now likely to dominate the headlines.

Brown added: ‘‘I have empathy as opposed to sympathy with any manager that gets relegated.

‘‘It went to the wire and he gave it his best shot and unfortunately they failed.’’