Connolly strike helps Hull jump into play-off spot
Aaron Connolly's first half goal helped Hull City on the way to a victory over Blackburn Rovers that sent Liam Rosenior's team into the Championship promotion playoffs.
The Tigers leapfrogged Sunderland into sixth place courtesy of their win at the MKM Stadium, with Irish international Connolly netting his eighth goal of a redemptive campaign, which is already the best goalscoring season of the Galwegian's career.
After Liam Delap's opener, Connolly hit Hull's second, placing a right foot shot into the bottom corner. That lead was cancelled out however, with Ireland call up Sammie Szmodics scoring as Blackburn levelled before the break.
However, Rovers - with on loan Brighton midfielder Andy Moran an arrival from the bench - suffered a fifth defeat in six league games. Centre back Alfie Jones struck the second half winner.
Southampton moved to within two points of second place Ipswich by registering a fourth straight win against Plymouth at St Marys.
Gavin Bazunu was denied an eight clean sheet of the season by substitute Ryan Hardie's injury time consolation goal. The 21-year-old goalkeeper dealt poorly with a back pass and allowed the Plymouth attacker to steal the ball and finish from close range.
Strikes from Carlos Alcaraz and Che Adams, the former a thunderous strike from the edge of the area, had already secured the points for Russell Martin's in-form side, that also contained Ryan Manning and Will Smallbone.
Plymouth's ranks included Irish Under 21 cap Finn Azaz, on-loan from Aston Villa.
Elsewhere, Sinclair Armstrong was handed another start as QPR held high-flying Ipswich Town scoreless, becoming just the third team to do so in the Championship this season.
The Dubliner twice tested Town goalkeeper Vaclav
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