Advantage Hull in the play-offs
Nicky Barmby and Dean Windass grabbed a goal apiece as Hull took a commanding 2-0 lead in their Coca-Cola Championship play-off semi-final with a first leg victory over ten-man Watford.
Former England man Barmby steered Hull ahead after a calamitous moment in the home defence before 39-year-old Windass grabbed his 200th goal in English football to put Phil Brown's side on course for Wembley.
Hull remains the largest city in Europe never to have hosted top-flight football but they kept their Barclays Premier League dreams alive thanks to the veteran duo who were both born in the city.
However Adrian Boothroyd will feel aggrieved after referee Kevin Friend disallowed an early goal and then sent-off captain John Eustace with both decisions appearing harsh as Watford's dismal run of form continued to read just one win in 15 games.
The sides now meet on Wednesday in the second leg at the KC Stadium with Hull in pole position to book a place at Wembley at the end of the month.
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