Hull of a chance missed to close gap in play-off race

AARON CONNOLLY should have given Hull the edge in front of club owner Acun Ilicali, who had flown in from his native Turkey to the bet365 Stadium.

Ilicali had also provided free travel for 2,500 Tigers fans sensing that the club is ready to gatecrash the promotion play-off scramble.

In the aftermath of the deadly earthquake back in his homeland, he has supplied fresh water and temporary housing and appeared emotional in the directors’ box as a number of Turkish flags were unveiled during the minute’s silence before kick-off.

Brighton loanee Connolly fluffed his lines in front of goal in the 55th minute when Turkish international Ozan Tufan’s through-ball created a one-on-one situation with Matija Sarkic.

Hull boss Liam Rosenior revealed it has been a testing time for a club with strong Turkish links.

He said: “It’s affected us massively, it’s so sad.

“There are no words to describe what has happened. It has really affected the group, when you see those images.

We wanted to put on a performance which would do an amazing country proud. We did that in terms of our spirit and character.”

Potters boss Alex Neil said: “We were aggressive in our approach.

“They are one of the form teams in the league and we matched them.” STOKE: Sarkic 7; Wilmot 6, Jagielka 6, Fox 7; Hoever 6 (Tezgel (75) 6), Thompson 7, Laurent 6 (Celina (90) 5), Smallbone 7 (Baker (90) 5), Sterling 6; Campbell 6 (Powell (60) 6), Gayle 6 (Brown (60) 6)

HULL: Ingram 6; Christie 6, Jones 7, McLoughlin 6, Elder 6 (Greaves (63) 6); Tufan 7 (Ebiowei (63) 6), Docherty 6, Seri 6 (Woods (75) 6), Slater 7 (Coyle (90) 5); Connolly 6 (Longman (63) 6), Estupinan 6

STAR MAN: Ozan Tufan – The Turkish international produced a solid performance.

REF: Andy Woolmer 6