LONDON: Hull City squandered a chance to boost their bid for promotion to the Premier League as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat on Thursday. Steve Bruce’s side would have gone top of the second tier table with a draw or victory, but on-loan Arsenal midfielder Jon Toral cnetted Birmingham’s deflected winner in the 14th minute. Jake Livermore and Michael Dawson hit the woodwork for Hull, who were relegated from the Premier League last season. The result means leaders Burnley remain one point clear of second placed Hull and third placed Middlesbrough, who are behind the Tigers on goal difference but have a game in hand. Birmingham are now just one point outside the play-off places after their sixth clean sheet in eight games.