Challenge Cup: Hull FC 40-14 Castleford

Mickey Paea scored after missing the last two games through suspension

Curtis Naughton's hat-trick helped Hull FC into the Challenge Cup quarter-finals with victory over Castleford.

The winger scored his side's first two tries, and returning forward Mickey Paea also went over as the Black and Whites led 16-4 at half-time.

James Clare and Mike McMeeken added to Ashley Gibson's score as last season's runners-up closed to within two points.

But Jordan Rankin's brace, either side of Naughton's third, and a late Kirk Yeaman try sealed victory for Hull.

Naughton, 20, making just his fourth appearance this season for the hosts since his move from Sydney Roosters, went over twice early on as he squeezed over in the corner before collecting Paea's offload to double Hull's lead.

The prop then claimed a try of his own as his strength saw him power past Castleford's goal-line defence.

Gibson's simple finish in the corner just before the break gave the Tigers hope and Daryl Powell's side grabbed the momentum early in the second half as Clare went over the try line to finish a flowing move before Liam Finn's high kick was collected by McMeeken who bundled over to reduce the deficit to two points.

However, it was a mistake by Finn that saw the impetus change hands once again as the half-back kicked out on the full gifting Hull field position which enabled Rankin to reach and score, before Naughton rounded off his first senior hat-trick by running 70 yards to touch down.

The Cas players' heads dropped and Rankin went over for his second before Yeaman crossed on the final hooter.

Hull head coach Lee Radford:

"Curtis Naughton got his chance again today and has taken it with both hands, it's his place to lose now.

"We've knocked off some pretty formidable opposition over the last five or six weeks.

"We're going to be playing against the champions at home on Friday and will need to be ready for that because they do pose some threats."

Castleford head coach Daryl Powell:

"We're just not good enough at the moment.

"When it comes to the games that are tight, we get bored and fed up of staying in the fight.

"I'm getting bored of us getting bored, I've had enough of it. The players have to get a grip of how we go about our business."

Hull FC: Rankin, Naughton, Talanoa, Yeaman, Michaels, Pryce, Sneyd, Watts, Houghton, Paea, Minichiello, Sa, Ellis.

Replacements: Abdull, Thompson, Green, Whiting.

Castleford: Tansey, Gibson, Webster, Shenton, Clare, Roberts, Gale, Lynch, Milner, Bailey, O. Holmes, Moors, Massey.

Replacements: Millington, Jewitt, McMeeken, Finn.

Attendance: 6,750

Referee: James Child (RFL)