Hull manager Nick Barmby hailed Matty Fryatt after the striker ended a 10-game goal drought in a 3-0 victory over Bristol City on Saturday.

Fryatt capped off a tireless display with a smartly taken second-half strike after Hull had taken command early on with two headed goals in as many minutes from Jack Hobbs and Robert Koren.

Bristol City, who suffered a third consecutive defeat, struggled to cope with Fryatt's movement as well as the bobbly pitch.

"Everyone at this football club believes in Matty Fryatt," said Barmby, celebrating his 38th birthday.

"He took his goal really well and his all-round game was first-class. He's played well for us all season.

"He's not the sort of player who has needed an arm round him at any time. He has good mental strength and he knows he is an integral part of our squad."

Hull have now taken 10 points from the previous 12 available, and Barmby was quick to praise his side's defence, which kept a fourth consecutive clean sheet.

"To get another clean sheet was pleasing, as was scoring three goals," he added.

"We played at about the same level against Doncaster (in a 0-0 draw) the other week and came in for a bit of stick. We created the same number of chances today, but today we took them.

"We have threatened to score a few goals on several occasions, and the early goals today were important."

Bristol City boss Derek McInnes acknowledged that his side had struggled to get to grips with the awkward playing conditions.

"It is the worst pitch we have played on all season, but it was the same for both teams," McInnes said.

"I feel for Hull playing on that pitch as they are a good footballing team and it doesn't do them any favours.

"The team that made the fewest mistakes was going to win the game and slack bits of play from us gave them two early goals.

"We wanted to impose ourselves, but everything we were trying to do went out of the window with those two goals - free headers in the box.

"There were chances at both ends and we showed plenty of effort in the second half, but it was too little too late as it was always going to be an uphill struggle."

McInnes remains on the look-out for new players in the loan market, but the Bristol City manager believes his current squad can haul the team out of trouble.

"We just have to make sure we work hard to get that winning feeling again," he said. "We need to get back to being difficult to play against.

"We've got to show more control and discipline to restrict opportunities, but I believe we have players who can win games in the Championship."

After a sluggish opening, Hull took the lead after 13 minutes when Hobbs met Koren's corner with a diving header that deflected past David James.

Two minutes later, another cross from the right flank from Robbie Brady was headed home by the unmarked Koren from eight yards.

The visitors came close when Albert Adomah's right-footed drive smacked off the crossbar and Stephen Pearson's follow-up was knocked off the line by Andy Dawson.

However, Cameron Stewart and Koren both threatened as Hull continued to press.

Fryatt wasted three openings early in the second half before finally finding the net after 61 minutes by latching on to Koren's pass, rounding James and slotting home his first goal in more than two months.