IN THE CANN
Grant guides Tigers to promotion
GRANT McCANN thanked Hull’s under-fire owners for their support after the club clinched promotion.
Josh Magennis volleyed the visitors into a fourth-minute lead and after Lewis Montsma levelled for Lincoln 20 minutes into the second half, Mallik Wilks scored from the penalty spot after Regan Poole had fouled Tom Eaves.
Hull’s owners, the Allams, are not popular figures among fans, but boss McCann (right) paid tribute to them as he toasted the club’s return to the second tier.
“I’m over the moon for everybody at the football club, particularly for Assem and Ehab (Allam) for their backing of me in the summer. So I thank them for that,” McCann said.
“My staff and the players have been outstanding, it’s been a real team effort.
“The players have taken hit upon hit and criticism upon criticism when they have lost games, and they’ve responded.
“It’s been a tough season, particularly without having any fans in the ground and it’s a shame they weren’t there to witness that.”
The result ended Lincoln’s faint hopes of automatic promotion, although they remain well-placed to secure a play-off spot.
Boss Michael Appleton was pleased with the performance, despite the result. “I thought the performance was excellent,” he said. “For large periods of the game, I thought we were dominant. We had them pinned back in their own half, around their own box.
“It was frustrating to lose. I couldn’t see us losing the game. I could see them hanging on for a point.
“The way we lost – and the manner we lost – was a bit of a killer. A lack of concentration from Regan but he’ll be fine, that won’t affect him.”
For Hull, attention now turns to sealing top spot, with Peterborough the only side capable of preventing the Tigers winning the title. “It’s one thing getting promoted but winning the title is a different kettle of fish,” added McCann.”