Dean Windass struck the winner as Hull beat Bristol City 1-0 at Wembley in the Championship play-off final to book their Premier League place.Veteran striker Windass volleyed home from the edge of the area in the 39th minute to earn the Tigers promotion to the top division for the first time in their 104-year history.

Bristol City enjoyed the better of the possession but failed to break down a solid Hull defence, although credit must be given to Gary Johnson's men for an outstanding season.

The Robins settled the quicker with Dele Adebola squandering a decent early chance while Nick Carle poked an effort off target after showing quick feet on the edge of the box.

Richard Garcia nodded over from a Sam Ricketts cross as Hull began to feel their way into the game, before Phil Brown's men opened the scoring in stunning fashion in the 39th minute.

Frazier Campbell broke into the area but with two Bristol City players to beat opted instead to chip the ball back to the edge of the area where Windass took aim and thumped a magnificent volley past Adriano Basso.

And the Robins were rocked again before half-time when Bradley Orr was forced off with a suspected depressed fracture of the cheekbone after a clash of heads with Nick Barmby.

David Noble tested Boaz Myhill with a curling free-kick while Lee Trundle sent a header wide as Bristol City once again enjoyed the better of the possession at the start of the second period.

Trundle also worked an opening for himself with 16 minutes to go but struck his effort straight at Myhill while Michael McIndoe forced the Hull keeper into a smart save down to his right as the Robins pushed hard for an equaliser.

Michael Turner produced a brilliant block to deny Trundle's goalbound volley and moments later substitute Darren Byfield sent a looping header onto the roof of the net in a frantic finale - but Hull held on to book their place in the big time.

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