McLeish was pleased that Blues had managed to keep a clean sheet for the first time in nine games but a little disappointed with the lack of creativity in the final third of the pitch.
"Hull came to fight for their lives. We thought they may be edgy, we had a go at them in the first half," the Blues boss said after the match at St Andrews.
"Our best opportunities were in the first half but we never had that real goal instinct to finish them off.
"I know what it's like down there, it's really tough.
"I thought Hull fought really well today. Iain had them superbly organised and we found them a tough nut to crack."
"Maybe we didn't have the imagination or creativity in the final third but we still showed a lot of professionalism.
"At the start of the season people were thinking we would maybe win 10 or 12 games to get us safe but the lads have punched above their weight considerably.
"The difference between the top six sides and other clubs is that they can do it a bit more consistently.
"Teams with lesser quality and capabilities can sometimes fizzle out but it is not down to lack of effort."