Hull vs. Derby: Score, Reaction from 2016 Championship Play-Off, Leg 2

Derby County came within a whisker of becoming the first team to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit in the Football League play-offs by beating Hull City 2-0 at the KC Stadium on Tuesday night, finishing one goal short and allowing the Tigers to reach Wembley.

A close-range finish from Johnny Russell and an own goal by Andrew Robertson in the first half ultimately weren't enough for valiant Derby. Hull weathered the storm after the break to earn a Wembley final against Sheffield Wednesday to determine who plays Premier League football next season.

Hull fielded an unchanged starting XI from the one that won the first leg 3-0. By contrast, the Rams brought in Andreas Weimann on the wing and Jeff Hendrick into midfield for Tom Ince and Bradley Johnson, per Sky Sports Football League:

It took Derby less than seven minutes to pull a goal back when Russell bundled home after a headed knockdown from Chris Martin.

The early goal was just what the Rams had dreamed of, and their early dominance of possession reflected their buoyancy. Derby shifted the ball quickly and confidently, with raiding full-back Cyrus Christie a consistent outlet after his early cross had picked out Martin to help create the opener.

Yet despite the visitors' initial dominance, a typically quick break offered a reminder of Hull's threat when Mohamed Diame just missed getting his head to a teasing cross from Moses Odubajo.

Back at the other end, Russell curled a free-kick just too high and wide after drawing Jake Livermore into a foul on the edge of the Hull box.

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With the Tigers frustrated by being robbed of the ball on their own pitch, rugged tackles came flying in, Robert Snodgrass going into the book after taking down Craig Bryson.

Livermore soon followed him when he cut across Martin inches outside the box. Sadly for the Rams, Hendrick wasted the promising free-kick when he struck against the wall.

However, it didn't take long for Derby to double their lead when playmaker Will Hughes released Russell with a smart pass. The forward then picked out Marcus Olsson on the overlap, and his low cross was touched into his own net by Robertson.

Derby were on the verge of history, and the half-time omens didn't look good for the home side, as Sky Sports Statto revealed:

The Rams began brightly after the break when the terrific Hughes tricked his way to the edge of the box before winning another promising free-kick. A desperate block from Michael Dawson turned away Martin's goalbound effort.

Hull needed a response, and the bullish power of Diame nearly provided it when the midfielder strode forward and dragged a shot narrowly wide. The Senegal international's effort aside, though, normal service soon resumed, with Hughes bossing the middle while Olsson and Christie offered width.

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Heading into the final 20 minutes, Hull goalkeeper Eldin Jakupovic needed two strong hands to turn away Martin's shot in the box.

Derby still pressed late but to no avail even after introducing Ince and attackers Darren Bent and Abdoul Camara off the bench.

Post-Match Reaction

Despite the near miss, Derby boss Darren Wassall expressed his pride in his team's performance, per the Derby Telegraph: "I know it's scant consolation because we haven't made the Wembley final, but I'm very, very proud of that performance after Saturday."

Hull manager Steve Bruce hinted he might have lost his job had his team been knocked out, according to Lewis Jones of Sky Sports: "If I had lost tonight, I could have been sacked."

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Bruce also praised how his club has punched above its weight to reach the brink of an instant return to England's top flight: "For a club like ours, it's a magnificent achievement. There's big clubs all around us—Derby are one of them, who have got a big support and have bought well. They've got good players. In that respect, we're really pleased."

But Bruce will need his team to make a faster start at Wembley. Hull have the Premier League experience to handle the big game but will need to manage the occasion more shrewdly than they navigated this second leg.