ADKINS REF RAGE AS TIGERS DENIED
HULL boss Nigel Adkins was left rueing his side’s misfortune after their narrow defeat by Sheffield Wednesday.
Jordan Rhodes scored the only goal of the game with a first half header as the Owls ended a two game losing run.
But Adkins was left disappointed after Abel Hernandez had a stoppage time leveller controversially chalked off by referee Scott Duncan.
“The ref gave a goal and heads to the halfway line with the linesman, as they do when a goal is given.
“We are celebrating and then one of their players asks the ref to consult the linesman and they disallow the goal.
“It was a close decision, it doesn’t matter if it is right or not, it was given offside and we have lost the game.
“We did not do enough to win it, we had plenty of possession but we have not done enough with the ball and not had the quality.
“We have got good players in the final third so it is disappointing. It was a very soft goal to concede, which should have been dealt with.
“It gave them something to defend and hold on to.”
But Jos Luhukay was quick to praise the strength of character displayed by his battling side.
“It was an intense and very open game in the first half,” he said. “Our goal was a brilliant combination play and a great header by Jordan.
“Hull have been in good form so this was never an easy game. They put us under pressure in the second half and we had to defend intensely.
“They had their chances to get the draw and we had luck on our side at the end, but we are very happy to hold on to a positive situation.
“The mentality of my players was fantastic, as a team we are strong and stay together.
“We lose as a team and we win as a team. We will try to bring the season to a close on a positive note for our fans.”
Rhodes had a free header beaten away by Allan McGregor inside the opening five minutes.
Joe Wildsmith was quick off his line to clear the danger as Hernandez looked to get on the end of Jon Toral’s throughball on nine minutes.
Harry Wilson curled a sweet effort inches wide on 13 minutes as City stepped up the pressure.
But Rhodes headed Wednes- day into an 18th minute lead when he found acres of space from Jack Hunt’s perfect cross.
Adam Reach shot just wide on 26 minutes as Wednesday continued to look dangerous on the break.
Toral could only find the keeper with a well-struck halfvolley a minute after the restart.
It was a rare threat on goal for a Tigers side who were enjoying plenty of possession with very little sting.
Play was briefly halted on 67 minutes after a squirrel invaded the pitch.
Angus MacDonald failed to get the ball out from under his feet on 73 minutes as he found space in the box.
Hernandez curled an effort narrowly over on 75 minutes as the home side continued to press.
The home side thought they had levelled in the first minute of stoppage time when Hernandez stroked home from close range.
But referee Scott Duncan chalked the goal off for offside after consulting his linesman.