Despite taking the lead through Mohamed Touré, Norwich City fell to defeat at the MKM Stadium, as an Oli McBurnie brace either side of half-time earned victory for Hull City.
Philippe Clement made four changes to the team that drew with Swansea City last weekend at Carrow Road prior to his side's final day encounter with Hull City.
After missing the Canary’s previous six matches due to injury, Ruairi McConville made his return to the starting lineup joining Jacob Wright, Amankwah Forson and Ali Ahmed.
As anticipated, the home side started quickly in their pursuit of the final play-off spot, but they failed to trouble Kovačević's goal as the Canarys gradually took control of the match.
Kellen Fisher was the first to threaten for Philippe Clement's side after his long range strike was palmed wide by Ivor Pandur after 13 minutes.
During the opening quarter, the fullback emerged as City's best attacking outlet, once again breaking past the host's defence after a superb pass from Wright. However, the advancing Pandur managed to collect the ball just in time to prevent Fisher from taking advantage.
The breakthrough for the Canaries came on 26 minutes when Anis Ben Slimane's excellent lobbed through ball found Touré to fire in from just inside the area, the striker's 10th since joining the Canaries.
However, Norwich's advantage was short-lived, as only two minutes later Rauiri McConville was deemed to have fouled Gelhardt in the box. Oliver McBurnie converted the resulting penalty to bring the home side level.
In a frantic few minutes, with just five minutes remaining in the first half, Kovačević was on hand to brilliantly deny Crooks from close range before Slimane freed himself up some space in the area before being tackled.
Both Liam Gibbs and Paris Maghoma were introduced as the second half kicked off, with the former immediately involved, picking out Slimane to head narrowly over.
Despite Clement's men being on top, it was the hosts who had the best chance of the opening exchanges of the second half, with Kovačević brilliantly getting down low to deny McBurnie what looked like a certain goal.
The hosts completed the comeback in the 68th minute through McBurnie, scoring his second of the afternoon. A free-kick from inside the Norwich half was headed on to the unmarked forward who was on hand to fire the Tigers in front.
In response, Sam Field was introduced to replace Anis Ben Slimane, allowing Jacob Wright to push up into a more advanced position.
In a final roll of the dice for Philippe Clement, Mathias Kvistgaarden and Errol Mundle-Smith were introduced as the Canaries pushed for an equaliser.
Despite late chances for Mundle-Smith and Maghoma, City were unable to find an equaliser, succumbing to defeat on the final day.
Hull City: Pandur; Coyle (C), Egan (McNair 46), Hughes, Giles; Crooks (Lundstram 82), Slater; Belloumi (Dowell 59), Gelhardt (Joseph 59), Millar (Koumas 82); McBurnie.
Unused subs: Phillips, Ajayi, Hirakawa, Gyabi
Goals: McBurnie(28, 68)
Bookings: Crooks (90+5)
Norwich City: Kovačević; Stacey, McConville, Córdoba, Fisher; Mattsson (C), Wright (Mundle-Smith 86); Forson (Maghoma 46), Slimane (Field 70), Ahmed (Gibbs 46); Touré (Kvistgaarden 82).
Unused subs: Grimshaw, Darling, Schlupp, Springett
Goals: Touré (26)
Bookings: Fisher (35), Maghoma (90+5)
HT: 1-1
FT: 2-1
Venue: MKM Stadium
Referee: Josh Smith