Hull seal Premier League return | Championship promotions and relegations

STEVE BRUCE was taken to hell and back — before Hull eventually sealed their return to the Premier League.

The Tigers, who drew 2-2 with champions Cardiff, secured second place in the Championship table on a rollercoaster final day as Watford lost 2-1 at home to Leeds.

Gianfranco Zola’s Hornets join Brighton, Crystal Palace and Leicester City as the sides now facing the perils of the play-offs.

Meanwhile, Peterborough and Wolves have crashed down into League One, joining already-relegated Bristol City.

Speaking after their promotion, Hull boss Bruce said: “I have been around the block and this was wonderful entertainment, but Jesus Christ, it’s put us through the ringer.

“Overall we deserved it. The ref gave them an unbelievable decision to give Cardiff a penalty but it’s our day. I would like to say well done to Watford who pushed us all the way.”

Bruce’s players could not believe it either. Goal-scorer McShane said: “I thought it was over and was thinking of the play-offs.

“I couldn’t have written this better. We made it hard but we saved the best until the last day.”

Team-mate George Boyd, who hid in the changing rooms as Watford lost to Leeds, said: “I couldn’t watch it.

“Leeds have done us a massive favour and well done to them for putting on a show. They could have easily thrown it in but they did us a favour.”

DOWN … Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson

Hull had to wait for the result from Vicarage Road in a game delayed by 16 minutes in the first half by an injury to goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.

The Tigers, who had looked like blowing promotion recently following a run of poor results, had trailed to a goal by substitute Fraizer Campbell four minutes after the break.

But Nick Proschwitz, a half-time substitute, guided the ball home from a cross by Stephen Quinn with 57 minutes gone and three minutes later Paul McShane got his foot to a Robbie Brady corner to steer the ball home from close range.

Cardiff were reduced to 10 men when Andrew Taylor elbowed Ahmed Elmohamady in the closing minutes but the drama was not over.

Hull fans ran on to the pitch when referee Keith Stroud awarded a late penalty for Ben Nugent’s push on David Myler but David Marshall saved Proschwitz’s spot kick.

Cardiff immediately went down to the other end and made it 2-2 when Abdoulaye Faye handled and Nicky Maynard sent David Stockdale the wrong way.

At the time, Watford were 1-1 with Leeds and would have gone up with a winner.

But Ross McCormack’s injury-time lob gave Leeds a 2-1 win.

As a result, Watford had to be content with the play-offs after a game which saw them lose Bond, who had replaced Manuel Almunia before kick-off, to a neck injury which required hospital treatment.

BRUCIE BOSS .. Tigers boss and his team are back in the big time

Bond, who had come in as a late replacement for first choice Almunia after he injured a hamstring in the warm-up, was hurt in an accidental collision with team-mate Ikechi Anya.

The Watford defender was pushed in the back by Leeds player Dominic Poleon, who was booked by referee Graham Salisbury, and collided with Bond.

After a long delay Bond was carried from the pitch on a stretcher and taken to Watford General Hospital where he underwent treatment and X-rays.

At the other end, Peterborough were relegated after losing 3-2 at Crystal Palace and Wolves also went down following a 2-0 defeat at Brighton.

Palace secured fifth with goals from Glenn Murray, Kevin Phillips and Mile Jedinak.

Peterborough had led twice through Lee Tomlin and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing but their efforts were to prove in vain.

A Kazenga LuaLua double after nine and 39 minutes earned Brighton a 2-0 win to give them fourth place and a play-off spot as Wolves went down.

Barnsley led twice at Huddersfield and despite being pegged back did enough to stay up with a 2-2 draw.

FOX IN THE BOX … Anthony Knockaert celebrates after scoring the winner for Leicester

Leicester sneaked into the play-offs with a 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest with goals from Matty James, Andy King and Anthony Knockaert.

Forest, who scored through Simon Cox and Elliott Ward, lost out along with Bolton who were held 2-2 at home by Blackpool.

Matt Phillips and Ludovic Sylvestre put Blackpool in charge before Chris Eagles and Craig Davies gave the home side hope but it was in vain.

Sheffield Wednesday made sure of their status with a 2-0 home win over Middlesbrough thanks to goals from Steve Howard and Leroy Lita and Derby beat Millwall 1-0 with a late Conor Sammon goal.

Charlton defeated already relegated Bristol City 4-1 with Yann Kermogant (2), Jonathan Obika and Johnnie Jackson getting the goals, Bobby Reid scoring for Bristol City.

Burnley defeated Ipswich 2-0 with goals by Junior Stanislas and Martin Paterson.

Birmingham drew 1-1 with Blackburn with the goals coming from Ravel Morrison for the home side and Jordan Rhodes.

Football – The Sun

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