Hull City 1-0 Millwall: Adama Traore downs play-off contenders Millwall

Adama Traore scored his first goal for Hull following his move from Turkish side Hatayspor last September

Hull City virtually assured their place in the Championship for next season with a home victory over faltering play-off contenders Millwall.

The Lions had the better of the first-half chances, with winger Oliver Burke hitting the underside of the crossbar from Zian Flemming's cut-back.

Half-time substitute Adama Traore broke the deadlock to put the Tigers ahead with 20 minutes left when his long-range strike bounced into the bottom left-hand corner.

The visitors almost grabbed an equaliser when Tom Bradshaw had a close-range effort blocked and Billy Mitchell fired narrowly wide on the rebound, while Hull goalkeeper Karl Darlow palmed away a curling Flemming shot in the closing stages.

A first win in six outings puts Liam Rosenior's men 16th and 11 points clear of the relegation zone with five games of the campaign remaining, while fifth-placed Millwall failed to score for the fourth straight game.

That four-match winless run is the south-east Londoners' worst run of form since August and has seen them reeled in by the pack chasing a place in the top six.

Seventh-placed Preston are now level on points with Millwall and only outside of the play-off places on goal difference, but the Lilywhites must travel to The Den on Saturday.

Quality Traore strike the difference

Ozan Tufan had scored twice as Hull drew 4-4 at Sunderland on Friday and the Turkey international headed over at the back post in the opening stages.

The visitors then began to carve out openings, with Darlow denying Burke before the winger clattered the woodwork on the half-hour mark.

Bradshaw, Shaun Hutchinson and Jake Cooper also went close for the Lions, prompting Rosenior to made a triple change at the break when he introduced Callum Elder, Ryan Longman and Traore.

Longman sent a left-footed effort narrowly wide 10 minutes into the second half but the game was drifting when Mali midfielder Traore opened the scoring with his low left-footed effort from about 25 yards out.

The Lions were unable to find a way past Darlow but, with games against Preston and Birmingham before facing relegation-threatened pair Blackpool and Wigan, they still have their destiny in their own hands.

Hull manager Liam Rosenior told BBC Radio Humberside:

"Our first-half performance was way off the levels we have played at this season and I had to make changes. I wasn't happy with our intensity, energy and our application.

"What I saw in that first half I never ever want to see again. I love this club and I will not accept anyone who does not put in 100%.

"We worked hard on our defensive shape and that is what won us the game. Karl Darlow was magnificent when he was called upon.

"What we need to do is make sure that this time next season we are at the top end of this league. I am putting pressure on myself saying it, but I know what it requires."

Millwall boss Gary Rowett told BBC Radio London:

"From 15 or 20 minutes onwards we were by far the better team. We had pretty much control of the game and all the best chances.

"As an away team we have had 20 shots on goal and Darlow has made five or six outstanding saves. The reality is I was really pleased with the performance.

"I didn't like the goal we conceded - I thought it was a bit of a soft goal from a long way out and we could close down quicker - but after that we have got to take our chances.

"That's why strikers usually get the most money and, as we saw in January, are hard to find. We got into some brilliant areas and that last little bit of composure and quality wins us the game comfortably."