LONDON, May 25: Hull City won promotion to the top tier of English soccer for the first time since they were formed 104 years ago when they beat Bristol City 1-0 in the Championship playoff final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Hull-born Dean Windass, 39, scored to give Hull victory with a stunning, unstoppable right-foot volley from the edge of the penalty area after a swift counter-attack in the 38th minute.

Bristol City, seeking a return to the top flight for the first time in 28 years and a second successive promotion, played their part in an entertaining match, but despite creating chances, they failed to take them.Hull join West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City, who gained automatic promotion, in the Premier League next season, replacing relegated Birmingham City, Reading and Derby County.

The match, worth an estimated £60 million to the winners in terms of increased TV revenue, gate receipts and sponsorships, is regarded as the single richest one-off match in world soccer, and was settled by a goal worthy of the occasion.

Hull broke from one end of the field to the other with Windass and Barmby involved in the build-up. Frazier Campbell eluded two Bristol defenders then stopped near the goalline, turned and teed up the final pass for Windass who smashed his 201st career goal.

Bristol City, who last played in the top flight in 1980, lost Jamie McCombe with illness before the match, then Bradley Orr just before halftime with a depressed cheek bone.—Reuters