The Magpies came from a goal down to earn an important Barclays Premier League point as Steven Taylor cancelled out Geovanni's opener at the KC Stadium.

But Newcastle remain outside the relegation zone only on goal difference and with difficult games against Arsenal and Chelsea in the next fortnight, their position is precarious.

Hughton, who remains in charge in the absence of Joe Kinnear, said: "I'm disappointed we didn't get the three points we came for.

"We gave away a poor defensive goal very early in the game, which rocked us and gave them the confidence they needed.

"But having scored our goal at a good time, I was convinced at half-time that we were in the ascendancy and we'd come out and that would enable us to get the three points.

"I felt in the second half we were the side more likely to get the win."

Hughton admitted his side's remaining schedule, which also includes Liverpool and Aston Villa, was testing but is confident they can handle the pressure.

He added: "It is going to be a tough run-in towards the end of the season but we have been able to go up a place.

"But the teams around us have tough games as well. Ours has been highlighted a bit more because of our next two games.

"We have got to make sure we win a better percentage of games than the others do."

One positive for Newcastle was the return of Michael Owen after five games out injured, although the England striker had a quiet game and was withdrawn after 72 minutes.

Hughton added: "He got a good hour under his belt and probably the bigger emotion will be the result, that we didn't get the three points that we wanted. He'll be better for the hour he played."

Hull manager Phil Brown, whose side moved up to 12th, felt his side had earned a good point even though they remain far from safe.

The Tigers remain just four points above the bottom three with nine games remaining.

Brown said: "It was a scrappy affair, not a great spectacle in terms of football but there was probably a lot of nervous tension about, from both sides.

"I think we came out of the traps and approached the game in the right manner and got our noses in front with a great goal.

"But then that lapse of concentration in the first half and we allowed a poor goal from our point of view.

"In the second half I think Newcastle huffed and puffed and didn't trouble the goalkeeper.

"You can't say they deserved to win but the only way I can say we deserved to win was if Bernard Mendy had composed himself when he went through two on one."