UNDER-FIRE Hull manager Phil Brown stepped away from the limelight after his team bought him precious breathing space with a vital home win over Stoke.
Brown chose not to speak to the media after former Celtic striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink hi
t a last-gasp winner.
Hull, having won just three times in 33 Barclays Premier League games, had seemed destined for another damaging defeat after a first-half strike from Matthew Etherington.
But the Tigers, re-invigorated by the presence of record signing Jimmy Bullard, earned reward for their greater endeavour as Seyi Olofinjana levelled – and Vennegoor of Hesselink struck moments after Stoke had Abdoulaye Faye sent off.
"He's having a Guinness – he deserves one," said assistant manager Brian Horton, when asked about Brown's absence at the press conference.
Etherington's effort came against the run of play on 30 minutes after the hosts had already missed several chances.
Bullard, making his long-awaited home debut after ten injury-ravaged months, was at the forefront of all the Tigers' good work and gave his side drive and determination.
Olofinjana – who quite Stoke for Hull in the summer – clipped in a superb equaliser just after the hour. And after Faye's dismissal for a second bookable offence, substitute Vennegoor of Hesselink fired home after a Bullard shot was beaten away.
