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Hull closer to Premier League dream after beating Hornets

11/05/2008

Hull City are on the verge of the Championship playoff final after a 2-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.

Veterans Nick Barmby and Dean Windass netted in the first half for the visitors in the first leg.

Danny Shittu had a goal harshly ruled out for off-side in the opening minutes, while skipper John Eustace was sent-off to cap off a miserable day for Aidy Boothroyd's men.

Watford will be seething at the decision in the fourth minute to rule out Shittu's bullet header from a Jobi McAnuff corner.

Four minutes later, Hull grabbed the lead when Shittu misdirected a header into the path of Frazier Campbell who slid the ball across for ex-England winger Barmby to poke the ball in.

Watford, who had just one win in 14 games going into the playoffs, went further behind when Campbell headed against the post from Andy Dawson's cross with Windass reacting quickest to slam in the rebound on 23 minutes.

The north London side rallied in the remainder of the half with the dangerous McAnuff's effort tipped over the bar while Tommy Smith missed the ball from two yards out.

Watford dominated the second half with Boaz Myhill making a stunning point-blank save to keep out Matt Sadler's ferocious effort while Shittu headed inches wide.

The home side's task was made even harder when referee Kevin Friend sent off Eustace after a crunching tackle by the midfielder on the hour mark.

Hull blew chances to grab a third goal in the closing stages with Campbell and substitute Nathan Doyle missing from close-range.

Watford were unable to grab a goal in the dying minutes, meaning they have it all to do in the second leg on Wednesday.

The winner of this semi-final will play either Bristol City or Crystal Palace in the final at Wembley.