Managerless Hull’s miserable Championship run continued with a 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough, their fifth successive league defeat.

Andy Dawson was in temporary charge of the Tigers following Tim Walters’ midweek sacking but was unable to stop the rot, with City now winless in their last 10 league games.

Finn Azaz continued his superb form with a fifth goal in three games to set Boro on their way, before Tommy Conway doubled the home side’s lead just before half-time.

Hull substitute Mason Burstow gave the Tigers hope when he halved the deficit 19 minutes from time, but Conway sealed the points with his second and Boro’s third goal eight minutes later.

Carrick’s side have now won four of their last five games and are the Championship’s top scorers.

Boro had the first clear chance of the game when Azaz crossed for Delano Burgzorg but the forward failed completely as he only had Hull goalkeeper Ivor Pandur to beat.

Boro were perhaps lucky midway through the first half when defender Neto Borges – the last man – appeared to have his shirt pulled by Joao Pedro, who was prevented from running one-on-one with goalkeeper Sol Brynn. Judge Stephen Martin dismissed the claims.

And Hull’s frustration deepened when Azaz rolled in the opener after 24 minutes. There was still plenty to do as the former Aston Villa man collected the loose ball on the edge of the box after Hayden Hackney intercepted an attempted Hull clearance. But he calmly cut down onto his left foot to create a shooting opportunity for himself and beat Pandur.

It was the home side’s turn to complain to referee Martin just after the half-hour when Ben Doak claimed his cross hit Xavier Simon’s arm after a quick Boro counter, but the protests were dismissed. Doak’s anger was short-lived, as it was the Liverpool loanee who set up Boro’s second goal four minutes before half-time.

After Anfernee Dijksteel won back possession on the right side of the box, Doak lifted a delightful lobbed cross onto the head of Scotland team-mate Conway.

Hull couldn’t deal with Doak and captain Lewis Coyle almost cut the ball into his own net when he tried to clear a cross from the winger early in the second half. Doak then created a shooting opportunity for himself but saw his effort deflected wide.

Hull gave themselves hope when the unmarked Burstow turned in Abu Kamara’s cross from the left. But Conway wrapped up the scoring with a neat finish from Doak’s pass.