Dean Holden says nothing's changed as Hull City are architects of their own downfall again

With Derby County losing to Norwich City, the Tigers are probably embroiled in a two-way fight for the final play-off spot.

Wrexham have the advantage with two games to play after taking advantage of Hull's 2-2 draw at Leicester City. The Dragons' win at Oxford United saw Hull drop out of the top six having spent 22 of the previous 23 matchdays in it.

But with Wrexham completing their schedule against champions Coventry City and play-off bound Middlesbrough, the Tigers just have to end their five-match winless streak and see where it takes them. To do that, they will need to be better in both boxes, assistant coach Holden admitted.

"We've proved all season the boys will keep fighting to the end," said Holden, taking media duties because Sergej Jakiroivc was not allowed to, having been sent off in the second half.

"I think what's hurting us at the moment is both boxes. It's really as simple as that, and although there's only two games to go, we've got to keep working, keep improving on that.

"It's been a downfall for us. If you want to use that word, most of the season, in terms of defensively, we've conceded too many goals, and again tonight.

"But the message has to be that we've just got to regroup, and everybody's talking about the league table and where we are and where we're not. I don't think that matters, I'll be honest with you, because we've got to go and win the game on Saturday anyway, irrespective of what side of the line we're on."

Hull took control of the game when Liam Millar pounced on a mistake in an angry atmosphere that continued as Holden was giving his post-match press conference. But the Tigers then squandered good opportunities to kill the Foxes off and were punished when they conceded twice in as many second-half minutes.

The first was a penalty, the second a Luke Thomas finish from too much space.

And although Hull got back on level terms through Oli McBurnie, neither side could score the goal they needed in a frantic final half-hour. The result saw Leicester relegated for the second season running.

"The disappointing thing for us is we got ourselves into a leading position again, four games out of five since the (international) break and not able to see it through," said Holden.

"The message at half-time was to try and get on the front foot, we knew they had nothing to lose. We knew they were going to come at us and take even more risk.

"We conceded the penalty, I've genuinely not seen it back, so I can't really comment, but I believe it's a debatable one.

"But irrespective of that, can we defend it a little bit better? And more importantly, can we then regroup and see out the next five to 10 minutes, knowing there's 35 minutes left in the game?

"That's the disappointing thing, to concede the second as quickly as we did. And then we're chasing.

"We scored a brilliant goal for Oli in that second half and we're giving everything as of then.

"I'm sure it was an entertaining game, because it was end-to-end, it was like a game of basketball at times, but that became dangerous for us because they've got such good players in them, one-v-one duels.

"Ultimately we've got to take the point, as disappointing as it is, and move forward as quick as we can."

The atmosphere in the stadium was understandably toxic, but the two goals in such a quick period of time gave the home fans encouragement.

"When they get the penalty and then the second one, you can feel the oxygen in the stadium, we gave them something to fight for," said Holden. "(Asmir) Begovic has made a great save through Crooksy (Matt Crooks)'s back-flick.

"We just didn't show enough composure, really, in their moments in the first half.

"Liam showed great composure to finish the first one. It was a really pleasing goal, because we know that they've conceded a lot of goals in that moment in and around their box. Yeah, it's a mistake from the keeper, but the position that Liam got himself in on that press was perfect.

"He showed great composure to finish, and we weren't able to do that enough in the first half.

"If we'd have just took an extra second, slowed down, I think we'd have took the game away from them."

On Jakirovic's red card, straight after the second goal having been booked for arguing against the penalty, Holden said: "I didn't hear what was said, to be honest. Obviously, it's chaotic at that point.

"To be honest, I'm not interested. I've got to take the lead at that point and control what I can, which is trying to calm the players down on the pitch and get them to refocus, because there's a lot of chaos. We've got to stay in control of what we can affect, which is our performance on the pitch."

Holden described Mohamed Belloumi's half-time substitution as "precautionary" as the fatigued winger felt an issue in his hamstring. Amir Hadziahmetovic had a scan on a foot injury when his team-mates were travelling to the East Midlands.

Hull's final two games of the regular season are away to Charlton Athletic and at home to Norwich City.