LATE MAL DELIVERS Blow for Warnock as Wilks’ injury time winner leaves Boro facing fight for survival
GRANT MCCANN reckons Hull might just have pulled off their shrewdest transfer move when they landed Mallik Wilks.
Wilks marked his first appearance since sealing a £1million permanent move from relegation rivals Barnsley with a priceless injury-time strike to lift the Tigers out of the drop zone.
The deal to firm-up the 21-year-old winger’s loan move was agreed back in January but sealed less than 24 hours before kick-off after City were unable to extend his temporary stint at the KCOM Stadium.
Hull manager Mccann said: “Mallik’s had a tough time and hasn’t known if he’s coming or going in the last few days so it’s great to finally sort it. He’s just the kind of player we need here at the club and he’s produced for us right when we needed him to.”
A contest between two struggling teams that sparked into life early on with two goals in the opening eight minutes looked to be fizzling out into a draw. That was until Wilks stole in to drill the ball home from a cushioned header from Jordy de Wijs.
It sealed City’s first win in 14 games since New Year’s Day and their first three-point haul at home since before Christmas to hand their survival hopes a massive boost.
It was harsh on Middlesbrough, who led through Britt Assombalonga’s fourth-minute penalty – the striker breaking an eight-month goal drought after De Wijs tripped Hayden Coulson. Herbie Kane hauled Hull level four minutes later with a replica of his stunning long-range free-kick in Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Birmingham after Wilks had been hauled down.
Liverpool loanee Kane then hobbled off injured to rob the Tigers of one of their main attacking threats and both sides looked happy to settle for a point until Wilks’ intervention.
It means Stoke drop into the bottom three and leaves
Boro a point above the drop zone after being leapfrogged by Hull. The relegation picture is further clouded by Wigan’s impending 12-point deduction for entering administration.
Boro boss Neil Warnock said: “We’ve got the players here at the club to get us out of this situation.”
Charlton Millwall Championship, The Valley, KO 8.15pm
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MILLWALL boss Gary Rowett wants to heap more misery on Charlton – even though he feels sorry for his former club.
Rowett’s Lions make the short trip to the Valley tonight hoping to revive their own fading play-off hopes.
Charlton are battling to beat the drop and Rowett (right) feels sympathy, even if Millwall diehards don’t. He said: “They’ve had so much turmoil over the years.
“Our fans won’t feel sorry for them but they haven’t had a lot of stability, they’ve gone from one owner to the next owner. It’s felt like they haven’t had a chance.”
Assombalonga 4 pen
Fleetwood Wycombe
League One play-off semi-final, 1st leg KO 7.30pm
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GARETH AINSWORTH has told Fleetwood boss Joey Barton his Wycombe side will relish any attempts to put the frighteners on them.
The hosts will have dozens of scarecrows on show at tonight’s play-off first leg to mark Scarecrow Festival week.
But Ainsworth insists that won’t unsettle his Wycombe battlers.
The long-haired Chairboys chief (right) said: “If you look at me I think I’ll fit right in! We’ll be OK up there.
“If they are trying to intimidate Wycombe they are picking on the wrong side.
“There is one thing we just don’t get undone on – a battle and a challenge.”
47%
53%
Portsmouth Oxford
League One play-off semi-final 1st leg, KO 5.30pm
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KENNY JACKETT insists Christian Burgess will not walk out on Portsmouth in their hour of need.
Burgess (right), 28, is leaving Pompey this summer for a three-year contract with Belgian club
Royale Union Saint-gilloise.
Despite the risk of injury, the centre-back will still play in the first leg of Pompey’s League One play-off semi-final against Oxford.
Boss Jackett said: “Christian has stayed true to his word. Since Christmas, he’s said he’s in for the season and wants to try to get the club into the Championship.”