Jon Parkin grabbed Hull's winner with a thumping header after 76 minutes to secure three points which should ease his side's relegation fears.
Leeds have now gone five league games without a win and, despite a bright start, looked second best.
An early Eddie Lewis free-kick was the away side's best chance in an otherwise disappointing performance.
Hull manager Peter Taylor:
"We've given ourselves a right chance and I can't see us not getting two or three more points with only five games to go.
"I think we deserved to win. It was a cracking local derby - a local derby for us anyway - between two very committed teams.
"I think the players knew how much this game means to our supporters."
Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell:
"It's tight at the top at the moment and it's just one of those things.
"We've lost form in the last third of the field but that can come back as quickly as it goes."
Hull: Myhill, Thelwell, Cort, Delaney, Rogers, Green (Paynter 84), Andrews, Welsh, Ellison (Elliott 71), Fagan, Parkin.
Subs Not Used: Duke, Duffy, Wiseman.
Booked: Parkin, Myhill.
Goals: Parkin 76.
Leeds: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Gregan, Crainey, Douglas, Derry, Miller (Graham 77), Lewis (Healy 77), Hulse, Blake (Richardson 80).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Kilgallon.
Booked: Gregan.
Att: 23,486
Ref: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear).