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90 min +12: A free kick for Boro in the centre circle. Brynn goes up, desperate for redemption. Brittain whacks it long. Too long. Goal kick. That should be that.
90 min +11: Ajayi deals with a couple of crosses, then the flag goes up for offside. Hull so close now!
90 min +10: Boro can’t get anything going. A close-up of poor Brynn, who utters a clear and unambiguous EFF word. Delight for Hull, who have come on strong in these final stages; such a shame it’s required a fall guy to decide the game. Let’s concentrate on Hirakawa’s wingplay and McBurnie’s poaching skills instead.
90 min +8: … while Hull replace Slater and Coyle with Lundstram and McNair.
90 min +7: Boro replace Targett and Browne with Ibeh and Sarmiento.
90 min +6: That was fine wingplay by Hirakawa, who has been a thorn in Boro’s side down this left flank since coming on. But it was dreadful handling by poor Brynn, who looks utterly bereft. McBurnie is booked for his celebration. Like he’ll care. Why isn’t he going to the World Cup with Scotland again?!
GOAL! Hull City 1-0 Middlesbrough (McBurnie 90+5)
Hirakawa advances down the left again. He’s been a constant threat. He sends a low cross into the centre. Brynn gets down to meet it, but can only cushion the ball into the path of McBurnie, who lashes home from six yards! Wembley erupts! McBurnie takes off his shirt and races away! Brynn crumbles to the floor in despair.
90 min +4: Hughes is fine to continue.
90 min +3: Hughes gets the proper once-over.
90 min +2: Brittain and Hackney combine well down the right, a couple of back-and-forths up and down the channel, but can’t quite open Hull up. Ajayi batters the ball clear … and straight into his team-mate Hughes. On comes the physio.
90 min: Whittaker drifts in from the left and aims for the top-left corner, but slices his shot wildly out of play, miles wide left of the target. There will be eight additional minutes.
89 min: Some space for Morris, 30 yards out. He tries his luck but the shot slams into the nearest amber shirt, the nanosecond the ball leaves his boot.
87 min: Hughes and Hansen are lectured by the referee for some off-the-ball shoving. There’s no real aggression from either player, just petulance.
86 min: Hirakawa advances down the left and wedges a cross towards the far post. McBurnie’s not there. But Hull are beginning to get on top during these closing stages.
84 min: Hirakawa drives down the middle towards the Boro box. Morris arrives from nowhere to take the ball off him, just before the Hull sub can get close enough to shoot.
82 min: Coyle loops a cross in from the left. Targett looks to have it covered at the far post, but Gelhardt scuttles around him and, on the turn, hooks a shot across the face of goal and wide of the left-hand post. Brynn was beaten all ends up. That was fine opportunism from Gelhardt. Something out of next to nothing.
80 min: Hackney slips a pass down the inside-left channel to release Hansen into the box! Hansen opens his body and sidefoots goalwards, but it’s straight at Pandur, who nevertheless has to make a superb reaction save to divert the ball across the face of goal and inches wide of the right-hand post. Then the flag goes up, correctly, for offside.
79 min: Hackney drops deep and nearly releases Brittain with a probing diagonal pass. It’s cut out by Hughes, just in time.
77 min: Hull make a double change before the restart. Hirakawa and Drameh come on for Giles and Belloumi.
75 min: McGree can’t continue, though small mercies, at least he’s able to amble off without limping too much. Hansen takes his place.
74 min: The physio comes on. As McGree gets the once-over, it’s a chance for the players to take on more fluid.
73 min: McGree overstretches for a loose ball and goes down clutching the back of his left leg. He immediately looks over to the bench with a defeated grimace, before covering his eyes. The poor chap’s day looks over.
72 min: Targett crosses low from the left, but with Whittaker lurking, Egan hooks clear. “I’m with Daniel King, from the pre-match blog,” announces Jeremy Boyce, “in so much as Hull City should put up or shut up as regards legal action. They’ve got an unexpected chance at the biggest money-spinner they could imagine, claimed on the last day of the season, and they’re complaining, threatening legal action ? The trawlermen would be most aggrieved, they gave all and never questioned. Grow up, enjoy your day, play footie, may the better team team win.”
70 min: Hackney takes to the pitch for the first time since March. He’s warmly greeted as he replaces Strelec.
69 min: Drinks break!
67 min: McGree juggles himself into a spot of space, 30 yards out, and pings a pass wide right for Whittaker, who enters the box and attempts to jink past Giles. He can’t do it, and the ball clanks off him and out for a goal kick. Neat play by McGree, though, with that elegant spin.
65 min: The pace drops once again … though a roar goes up anyway, as the Boro fans spot Hackney getting stripped to come on.
63 min: Hull make the first change. Millar is replaced by Gelhardt.
62 min: Ajayi into a bit of space on the right. There are amber shirts in the middle, so it’s a bit of a disappointment when he larrups a wild cross miles over the bar.
61 min: Whittaker slips a ball down the middle for McGree, whose shot from the edge of the box is blocked. Hull counter, Belloumi cutting in from the right and taking a whack that flies straight at Brynn. Suddenly, a lot better from both sides.
59 min: Middlesbrough slip back into passive possession. There’s been no real rhythm to this match. No real story threatening to unfold.
