Nearly, but not yet. That was the message concerning Barnsley's survival status after The Reds were brought back down to earth with a bump after two excellent wins on the road.
With the Sky cameras at Oakwell a penalty, a header and a wet strike from the king of all veterans Dean Windass meant The Reds must beat Leicester on Saturday to confirm their place in the Championship for next season. On this performance however, Hull may be the leaving the division in an upwards direction.
How things change in 12 months. This time last year, The Tigers were fighting relegation with Barnsley, Southend and Leeds. Whilst Southend and Leeds fell through the trapdoor, Barnsley are struggling again this year but the win on Tuesday night put Hull into second place with promotion now in their own hands.
It could have been so different. Jon Macken curled a beautiful effort just wide before the game hinged on one, rash decision by Dennis Souza 23 minutes.
Frazier Campbell, who gave Souza a torrid time at the KC Stadium back in October when the Tigers won 3-0 was going nowhere in the area before Souza stupidly dived in to bring him down. Dean Marney made no mistake from the spot, sending Luke Steele the wrong way.
From then on Hull never threatened to lose control. The Reds after playing four games in nine days look decidedly jaded.
The game was all but up five minutes into the second half. Campbell's drive was knocked round the post by Steele and Marney's resultant corner was thumped into the roof of the net by captain Ian Ashbee.
The Reds toiled and Simon Davey had four forwards on with the introduction of Istvan Ferenczi, Daniel Nardiello and Michael Coulson but the one striker they really needed came off the Hull bench on 82 minutes and 26 seconds later he had scored.
Stephen Foster missed his kick and Campbell back heeled the ball to Dean Windass whose shot skidded off the soaking surface and the ball squirmed under Steele.
Ferenczi had a great chance to make it 3-1 on 90 minutes but he somehow headed Coulson's chipped cross over the bar from three yards, but the Hungarian did grab his first goal since grabbing the winner against Wolves in December. On 93 minutes, Nardiello sent Coulson scampering clear again and he produced another delicious cross that Ferenczi dived on to and the header flew past Boaz Myhill into the net.
Scant consolation. Hull are going upwards, lets hope by 4:45pm on Saturday The Reds have ensured they are not heading downwards!
Player Ratings:
Luke Steele: Let Windass' effort squirm under his wet body. Uncomfortable night. 6
Lewin Nyatanga: A wayward back header nearly put Hull in front after 30 seconds. Another who was troubled by the Hull striking partnership. 6
Dennis Souza: Torn apart by Campbell again. If he beats him again, he'll get to keep him! 4
Stephen Foster. Some towering headers but his misskick set up the move for the 3rd goal. 6
Marciano Van Homoet: Playing as a wing back but didn't get forward enough. 5
Diego Leon: After his starring shows at Watford and Preston, it was a quiet night for the Spaniard. 5
Bobby Hassell: Tried his hardest with Leon off form. Ashbee was too good though. 7
Jamal Campbell-Ryce: Bundle of energy as always but couldn't get into the dangerous areas. 6
Rob Kozluk: A left winger he isn't. Solid defensively but no pace to run up the flank. 6
Kayode Odejayi: Star at Watford. Seaweed at Oakwell. 5
Jon Macken: Went close with a curling effort in the first half but anonymous thereafter. 6