Dicko joy on protest night

NOUHA DICKO ensured Hull overcame their off-field turmoil to move three points clear of the drop zone.

A pre-match protest march by supporters fearing a second successive relegation under the ownership of Assem Allam was followed by more disruptive acts during the game, but a strike in the 55th minute from Dicko delivered just a third win in 20 league matches.

Promotion- chasing Sheffield United were in the ascendancy when Dicko earned a corner via a longdistance drive that Jamal Blackman tipped around a post. From it, Jackson Irvine teed up the unmarked French striker, who slammed his shot under the bar to alter the mood on the tetchiest of nights.

Things turned sour during the first half when — as the stadium clock ticked on to 19.04min, the year the club was founded — fans hurled dozens of sponge balls on to the field, causing a twominute stoppage, and chanted: ‘We want Allam out.’ Then, on the half-hour, came a cacophony of whistling designed to interfere with referee Simon Hooper’s control of the game.

Victory for Chris Wilder’s team would have returned them to the play- off places but Billy Sharp was foiled by Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor three minutes before Dicko struck. Sharp’s strike partner Leon Clarke was put off in the process of shooting in the 60th minute, mistaking a shrill toot from the crowd for Hooper’s whistle.