Millwall’s curse continues as Mohamed Belloumi sends Hull into Championship playoff final

Mohamed Belloumi finds the net with a curling effort. Photograph: Ben Peters/Focus Images Ltd/Shutterstock

But it didn’t take long for the home side to find their feet. Thierno Ballo’s header was hacked off the line by Kyle Joseph before Ivor Pandur saved a rasping drive from Femi Azeez at his near post. A tricky winger who worked his way up from playing for Northwood in the eighth tier of English football, the 24-year-old has been one of Millwall’s most influential attackers this season and once again looked the most likely source of a goal.

Hull rode the storm and continued to look threatening when they attacked. John Egan wasn’t far away with a header from a free kick before Oli McBurnie forced Patterson into a smart save from a fizzing Ryan Giles cross. Millwall thought they should have had a penalty five minutes before half-time when Casper De Norre’s cross struck Hughes on the arm but it was in a natural position by his side and referee Sam Barrott instantly waved their appeals away.

Joseph’s night then came to a premature end when he limped off with a nasty-looking ankle injury, although there was not much pity from the Millwall fans who booed as he was helped off by the physio.

Once again, Hull were quickest out of the blocks at the start of the second half when Regan Slater set up McBurnie but Tristan Crama was somehow able to clear his shot off the line. There was plenty of huff and puff from Millwall yet they continued to struggle to create any chances. Neil gambled by bringing on Mihailo Ivanovic and switching to 4-4-2, swiftly followed by experienced duo Alfie Doughty and Barry Bannon. But it was Joseph’s replacement, Belloumi, who finally found the breakthrough with a spectacular strike. The Algerian had been a constant menace down the left flank and his curling shot from the edge of the area gave Patterson no chance as it went in off the far post. Cue wild celebrations in the away end.

Bannon almost gifted a second to Slater with a loose pass before Ivanovic headed over at the other end. There was no way back when Gelhardt met Belloumi’s cross with his first touch after coming on and the ball trickled through Patterson’s fingers before dribbling over the line to seal Millwall’s fate.