West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Hull City: Karlan Grant scores again as Baggies beat Tigers

Six of top scorer Karlan Grant's eight goals this season have come at The Hawthorns

Third-placed West Bromwich Albion climbed within six points of the Championship top spot as they finally saw off Hull City at The Hawthorns.

From a poor pass across his own box by Greg Docherty on 69 minutes, home skipper Jake Livermore intercepted and fed Callum Robinson, who squared from the right to Karlan Grant - and the Albion top scorer confidently drilled home a low right-footed to register his eighth goal of the season.

Albion might have won by more but Matt Phillips hit the post before the interval, while Grant should have added a late second on the break and Hull got away with a penalty shout against Richie Smallwood for his challenge on Conor Townsend.

Relive Wednesday's Championship action as it happened

The Tigers rallied well and finished strongly, carving out a succession of late chances, including one amazing double save from Sam Johnstone.

But Hull showed just why they have the worst scoring record (nine in 16 games) and lowest shot conversion rate (less than 5%) of any side in the Championship this season as they suffered a fifth straight defeat.

Hull now head to Oakwell this Saturday for a Yorkshire derby with their fellow strugglers, managerless Barnsley, while former Tykes boss Valerien Ismael's new club are at home to Neil Warnock's Middlesbrough.

Albion, who gave a Championship debut to Telford teenager Taylor Gardner-Hickman but lost defender Kean Bryan on his first start with a first-half knee injury, will look to further cash in on leaders Bournemouth's slip-up at home to Preston.

But they still look a long way off their early-season form when they netted 11 goals in their first four games. Since then they have netted just 15 in 12 games - and Grant has netted seven of their last 12 of those.

West Bromwich Albion boss Val Ismael told BBC Radio WM:

"Hull City came here to stick six buses in front of goal but it was about being patient and finding the solution. And then we scored at the right moment.

"It was a difficult game, as we expected. The opponents came here to waste time, with so many fake injuries, trying to create frustration and they wanted the ball out.

"We know this situation and we managed it well. We stayed patient and we controlled the game. It was the best 'in-possession' game we have had this season."

Hull City boss Grant McCann told BBC Radio Humberside:

"I couldn't have asked for more in terms of the game plan. We looked threatening and defended manfully against a team expected to win the division.

"We lost a game through a moment of madness. One mistake when we lost a tackle left us split wide open and they punished us.

"It was the last pass that cost us. And we had two or three magnificent chances to equalise. But, if we play like that for the rest of the season then we won't have any problems. We will climb the table."