Hull City 0-0 Millwall: Lions have late strike chalked off in first leg of Championship play-off semi-final
Report and free match highlights from the Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg between Hull City and Millwall at the MKM Stadium on Friday; Ryan Leonard sees late effort ruled out for Lions in goalless draw.
Friday 8 May 2026 22:38, UK
Hull City and Millwall played out a goalless draw in the first leg of their Championship play-off semi-final to leave the tie on a knife edge.
A largely uneventful encounter at the MKM Stadium on Friday night briefly looked like it had been settled late on by Ryan Leonard, only for his effort to be ruled out after a foul in the build-up.
It leaves us all square heading to The Den for the second leg.
Will 'harsh' disallowed goal prove decisive?
In truth, the only real talking point from the first leg was the disallowed goal late on, with Leonard putting the ball into the back of the net, only to be chalked out for a foul by Tristan Crama on Charlie Hughes just before the ball had reached the scorer.
Referee Gavin Ward was decisive in blowing his whistle, suggesting he believed that Hughes had been unfairly impeded in his attempts to reach the ball.
"It was really soft," Millwall boss Alex Neil told Sky Sports. "Both lads were at it so it will be interesting to hear [the referee's] thoughts when he watches it back.
"I can understand why he might have seen it [as a foul], but if both players are involved then it is difficult.
"To be fair, throughout the game he let a lot go, so it was not too stop-start. I am sure he will think it was a foul, but it will be interesting to hear his view."
In the other dugout, Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic believed the correct decision was made.
"It was a clear foul," he told Sky Sports. "There was a lot of pulling and pushing, so by the rules it is a foul.
"If you are spinning a player, pulling him or pushing him with two hands, then it is a foul. I know in the Championship these situations are always tough, but we are used to it and we move forward."
Don Goodman said on Sky Sports Football: "It's a big moment. It looks like a bit of mutual holding between Crama and Hughes. That's a big call.
"Millwall might think that's a little harsh. But it's the final yank from Crama that looks decisive."
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Occasion gets the better of both in first leg stalemate
Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gholam:
It feels like, for the most part, the occasion won. For both sides nerves jangled, tension overcame, and it was largely a non-event on Friday night at the MKM Stadium.
But it leaves the tie on a knife edge. Hull, despite the goalless draw in their home leg, won't be entirely displeased you feel.
Both of these sides have looked sharper away from home this season, and both won on the road at the other during the regular season.
Roll on Monday night where, at the very least, we will be guaranteed the drama of a result.
