A stoppage-time strike from substitute Kevin Hill salvaged a point for play-off hopefuls Torquay in front of over 13,000 at the KC Stadium.
Hull looked to be on course for a morale-boosting win when Stuart Elliott gave the hosts the lead early in the second half. However a missed penalty from Jamie Forrester kept Torquay in the contest and the last-gasp equaliser had always been on the cards.
Torquay started the brighter, and went close when Jo Kuffour headed straight at Alan Fettis from ten yards, and then Alex Russell's vicious half-volley was well gathered by Fettis.
In truth the first half was far from entertaining and the contest was littered by numerous free kicks and offsides courtesy of Torquay's over enthusiastic forward line.
However the second half was a thrilling contest, that was sparked by Hull's opener just after the break. Dean Keates collected the ball in midfield and released Elliott down the left channel. Elliott's cracking left-foot finish gave Arjan Van Heusden no chance.
Moments later though the Torquay goalkeeper was the hero. Elliott once again made inroads in the Torquay defence before being clumsily upended by Steve Woods. Forrester's spot-kick was brilliantly saved though as the keeper dived to his left.
Hull continued to attack and could count themselves unlucky when a Martin Reeves cross was turned on to his own post and to safety by Rueben Hazell.
However at the other end Simon Clist came within a lick of paint of an equaliser when his thunderous volley rebounded off the crossbar.
Martin Gritton and Jason Fowler were both denied by the excellent Fettis, and the visitors luck seemed to be out when David Graham hammered an unstoppable drive just wide of the target.
However in stoppage time Graham's angled drive brought a flying save from Fettis and substitute Hill snapped up the rebound with a close-range header to claim a point.