Arguments will rage about the dismissal of Glen Johnson, Portsmouth's England international, after a spirited stalemate at the KC Stadium that left both clubs creeping ever so gingerly away from the foot of the table.
The decision of the referee, Chris Foy, to dismiss Johnson 10 minutes from time looked like a monumental injustice.
Johnson was running infield, across the edge of the Hull penalty area, when he was caught by a high tackle by the Hull substitute Dean Marney. Marney, who had only been on the field for six minutes, fell to his left after making his challenge and referee Foy, doubtless imagining that Johnson had left a foot in, brandished the red card for a second bookable offence.
Johnson had been booked in the first half for a wild tackle on Kamil Zayatte after he had objected to being double-teamed by Zayatte and Andrew Dawson. He left the field in disbelief. It is a decision that must surely be rescinded after the reviewing of video evidence.
Portsmouth were only three points above the relegation zone, but eight points from five games under Paul Hart had settled their stomachs. It was Hull, without a home win for four months, who must have been most unsettled just before kick-off by news of Blackburn's win against Tottenham.
Peter Crouch gained plaudits for his successful England comeback against Ukraine in midweek, but he missed a glorious chance to put Portsmouth ahead after only eight minutes with a weak header from Johnson's right-wing cross.
Ian Ashbee's return in central midfield after suspension gave Hull a more organised appearance. Manucho's disorderly volley from Craig Fagan's cross was their most dangerous moment before half-time.
But it was Portsmouth, without an away win for eight matches, who created the better openings in a lively, if unproductive, half. Younes Kaboul missed another great heading opportunity at the far post after Hermann Hreidarsson had won the first header from Niko Kranjcar's corner.
Hull were nothing if not frantic, but even hasty chances were rare in the second half, the best of them falling to Manucho, whose stooping header caught David James out of position but was pushed aside.
