Play-off bid takes a hit as rivals Hull increase the gap

Championship: Wrexham...1 Hull City ...2

- BY IAN PARKER

Wrexham's Jay Rodriguez heads wide during last night's match with Hull City

HULL took advantage of an FA Cup hangover for Wrexham to strengthen their grip on a Championship playoff place with a 2-1 win in North Wales that put them six points clear of the Red Dragons.

The battle between fifth and sixth in the table was decided by goals from two of Hull’s loanees - Leeds’ Joe Gelhardt and Liverpool’s Lewis Koumas - and it would have been worse for Wrexham had Gelhardt not been denied from the penalty spot late in the first half.

The hosts, with co-owner Ryan Reynolds watching on, threatened a late comeback as Nathan Broadhead swept home in the 76th minute, but their rally fell short as Hull made it eight wins from their last 10 away league games.