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Hull climbed back in to the Championship play-off places with a comprehensive victory over Cardiff.

The visitors were given an early lead when Bluebirds defender Kevin McNaughton put the ball into his own net after a goalmouth scramble.

James Chester added a second within a minute of the restart after Robert Koren's breakaway.

Aaron Mclean completed the victory as the home fans pleaded for him to be ruled offside.

That was not the only moment of controversy, as a potential Ben Turner equaliser was ruled out by the officials, who decided Hull goalkeeper Vito Mannone had been impeded by Kenny Miller.

Nevertheless, Hull were able to register their second victory of the season over Cardiff, and sufficiently improved their goal difference to replace the Welsh side in the top six.

Andy Dawson's sixth-minute corner hardly seemed threatening until home skipper Mark Hudson combined with McNaughton, who sent what should have been a comfortable clearance beyond David Marshall's reach.

The goalmouth muddle gave Hull an early momentum that gathered strength as the hosts failed to make their mark in front of goal.

Andrew Taylor and Kenny Miller set up a chance Joe Mason could not take before Miller saw his own effort fly harmlessly away from the target.

Hull made Cardiff pay for their wastefulness when Joshua King found Chester, who made no mistake from close range to double the visitors' lead two minutes after the break.

Mclean then helped deny another Miller effort, and went on to enjoy the freedom of Cardiff City Stadium amid howls of protests as he raced on to Koren's ball to fire past Marshall after his initial effort was beaten away.

Cardiff manager Malky Mackay:

"Ben Turner's disallowed goal was a horrendous decision by the assistant referee.

"It was incredible and I will send the DVD clip into the Football Association because the officials need to become better.

"But then it is the same official who gave the third goal. I have seen it again and he was at least a yard offside. It was another horrendous decision.

"People will see the scoreline and think we have been torn apart but it wasn't the case."

Hull boss Nicky Barmby:

"On the whole, it was the best performance of our run.

"We needed to put it together and we finally did it.

"Some of our football, the chances we created and the movement of our front players was pleasing. We caused them a lot of problems.

"It's a psychological boost to move into the top six."

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