Hull City reach top flight

Windass: Tigers hero

Related links

Teams

• Bristol City
• Hull City

Players

• Dean Windass

Also see

• Brown beams at promotion
• Hull duo rejoice in promotion
• Hull's top flight delight
• Play-off final gallery

Dean Windass struck a stunning first-half volley to fire Hull City into the Premier League as Phil Brown's men secured a 1-0 Championship play-off final victory over Bristol City at Wembley.

Windass, 39, buried the only goal of the game on 38 minutes to ensure The Tigers will play in England's top tier for the first time in their 104-year history.

Saturday's encounter began at a frantic pace, and it was Bristol City who threatened early on with Dele Adebola and Lee Trundle leading the line well.

But Hull broke the deadlock as Fraizer Campbell wriggled his way to the by-line before dinking a tantalising cross into the path of Windass, who dispatched into the corner with aplomb.

Gary Johnson's side rallied for a leveller, penning their opponents back into their own half, but Hull defended resolutely to hang on and send the sea of amber euphoric at their side's promotion.

The opening minutes were littered with mistakes as both sides set off at a frantic pace before Robins striker Adebola had the first sight of goal in the fifth minute.

Threatening start

A free-kick was not properly cleared and after Marvin Elliott flicked the ball back into the area Adebola outmuscled Wayne Brown but failed to get a true connection on his shot and Boaz Myhill saved easily.

Adebola had made a threatening start and created another fine chance for Johnson's side in the 18th minute.

After finding space wide on the right the burly frontman picked out a clever pass to feed the onrushing midfielder Nick Carle.

The Australian side-stepped the challenge of Michael Turner to break into the area but could only toe-poke the shot wide from 15 yards.

Brown's men then found their rhythm and went close when full-back Sam Ricketts played an incisive one-two with Windass and crossed for Richard Garcia to loft a header over Adriano Basso but onto the roof of the net.

Another good early cross from Ricketts was headed over by Windass as the Tigers began to turn the screw before the veteran had his moment of glory.

Nick Barmby led a break from the halfway line and timed his pass through to Campbell perfectly.

The on-loan Manchester United youngster skipped past the challenge of Liam Fontaine before showing great vision to stand the ball up to the edge of the area Windass to beautifully lash past Basso and into the corner.

The game was then held up for over six minutes after the Robins' right-back Bradley Orr suffered a suspected depressed fracture of the cheekbone.

Brilliant block

David Noble had the first effort of the second half but his free-kick was straight at Myhill before Michael McIndoe headed a Jamie McAllister cross wide.

Bristol City were pushing men forward with Hull content to sit back and use the impressive pace of Campbell on the break.

Barmby and Windass were withdrawn by Brown for the pace of Craig Fagan and Caleb Folan before Lee Trundle created a chance all on his own but shot straight at Myhill.

Time was running out for Bristol City to find an equaliser but Trundle had a chance when Myhill fluffed a punch - but the striker's shot was brilliantly blocked by Turner.

Substitute Darren Byfield then headed over as Hull clung on for a famous win which will see Premier League football at the KC Stadium come August.