COSTLY FOR ROBINS' MEN

DEFINING MOMENT: Joe Gelhardt slots home Hull City's winner late in Saturday's clash.

- Peter Smith

STOKE City were left cursing not putting themselves beyond reach of Hull when they had the chance as they ended up falling to a home defeat.

Sorba Thomas had given Stoke a first-half lead with a screeching volley and his side were dominant up until the break, even if Hull had a decent shout for a penalty turned down at the other end.

The second half was much more of a contest and Hull levelled almost immediately after the restart through Semi Ajayi as the hosts appealed for both offside and handball.

Referee Leigh Doughty lost any control of proceedings as full-time descended into a farce and Hull players were dancing in front of the Boothen End, goading Stoke fans and players.

It was a farcical and dreadfully refereed end to what had started so promisingly. Anyone betting on this result at halftime would have been asked what they had been drinking.

Mark Robins had made three changes to his starting XI, naming Aaron Cresswell as captain as Ben Wilmot took a place on the bench for the first time this season. Bosun Lawal and Ashley Phillips were paired at centre-half while Robert Bozenik kept his place up front. Ben Pearson returned to midfield alongside Tatsuki Seko.