Dawson delivers welcome win for Hull

Hull - who had lost their previous six encounters with the Saints - had gone behind to a sixth minute penalty by Charlie Austin.

Victory - in front of a sparse crowd as their recent run dissuaded fans from turning out - failed to move them out of the relegation places but they went level on 10 points with West Brom, who play champions Leicester later on Sunday. 

Their last win over Southampton came back in the second tier in 2008. 

Southampton stay mid-table but defeat came not only as a surprise but a serious let down after their impressive Europa League win over Inter Milan on Thursday.

Saints got off to an ideal start Austin converting the penalty after Curtis Davies had brought down Maya Yoshida.

The hosts problems deepened minutes later when Uruguayan Abel Hernandez had to go off clutching his hamstring and was replaced by on loan Democratic of Republic international Dieumerci Mbokani. 

Hull's already sparse playing resources - they only secured Ryan Mason from Spurs as a close season recruit - were reduced further when Will Keane too had to go off with what looked like a knee injury.

He was replaced by Scotland international Snodgrass who was himself returning from a spell out with an ankle injury.

Hull managed to get to the break without suffering any further damage but early in the second-half were fortunate not to go 2-0 down.

Saints Dutch central defender Virgil van Dijk got his head on the ball from a corner but his header cannoned off the bar.

Astonishingly, though, it was Hull who dug deep and came storming back to take the lead in a two minute spell.

Snodgrass, their most impressive player prior to his spell out injured, levelled for them with an excellent shot from 12 yards and then veteran defender Dawson rose to head them into the lead.

Southampton poured forward in search of an equaliser but the Hull defence held for the most part and goalkeeper David Marshall was on hand to save them on the one occasion they required him, saving from Austin.