Improving Hull were denied by the woodwork as neighbours Lincoln held out for a draw.
The Tigers, unbeaten since the arrival of Peter Taylor as boss, threatened to overrun Lincoln after the home team were reduced to ten men midway through the first half.
But the Red Imps defended desperately and at the final whistle celebrated as if they had won promotion.
Lincoln went in front after just seven minutes when defender Ben Futcher saw his header cleared off the line but he followed up to fire the rebound home.
Hull were unlucky four minutes later when a tremendous shot from Ryan Williams deflected off Futcher and rattled the bar.
But the game changed with the 20th minute dismissal of Lincoln centre back Paul Morgan for body checking Michael Branch when the striker was clean through.
Hull levelled things within a minute. Carl Regan crossed from the right and Gary Alexander headed home.
Hull took control with Lincoln keeper Alan Marriott making three great saves. The keeper was left stranded when Branch went round him but again, Futcher came to Lincoln's rescue with a goal-line clearance.
Lincoln fought hard in the second half with Dene Cropper twice firing inches wide. Cropper threatened to get away again in the 58th minute only to be wrestled to the ground by Steve Burton who escaped with a yellow card.
Lincoln had a let-off five minutes from time when Hull substitute Stuart Elliott blasted against the bar and Alexander followed up with a header against the woodwork.
Afterwards Lincoln manager Keith Alexander said: "We rode our luck at times but we defended well. It was a point against one of the better sides in the division." Hull manager Peter Taylor said: "Lincoln deserve some credit but on the chances we created we should have won.
"Lincoln fought like mad when they were down to ten men and in the second half we didn't play as well as we can."