Referee gets blame for defeat to champions

Lee Radford was dismissed after only nine minutes for punching Ryan Bailey, retaliating after the Hull club captain was elbowed in the head while completing a tackle on the Leeds forward.

The Airlie Birds defied the setback to go 12-0 ahead but eventually paid the price as their rivals punished understandably tired legs to take the lead late on and edge home 18-14.

The loss saw Hull denied fourth place, a spot they had occupied for the majority of the season, and finish sixth which sees them play Hull KR at KC Stadium in an elimination play-off on Saturday

"I'm disappointed for our guys that a decision like that was ultimately the difference," said Agar.

"I thought a little common sense might have applied. It was a high-pressure game, two front-rowers at it hammers and tongs, one of them's elbowed him twice in the head and the other has re-acted but a sin-binning would undoubtedly have defused the situation.

"Lee's gutted and he's apologising to the boys but he's copped two beauties inside his head."

Agar referred to last month's Wigan v Huddersfield game when an all-out brawl ended with Stuart Fielden and Keith Mason being yellow carded by Phil Bentham.

Ironically, Bentham should have been in charge at the weekend but, after he was taken ill, Smith came in as a late replacement.

Agar added: "For effort and the way we played, I thought we deserved to win the game.

"I don't think anybody could have given any more to the cause. We had a couple of dead-set chances and if we'd have put one away we would have won the game.

"We got caught defensively purely and simply because we were down on numbers.

"If we replicate that sort of effort and get a little smarter we'll be a match for anyone."

Leeds coach Brian McClennan echoed those thoughts in praising Hull's contribution but defended Bailey's actions.

"You just can't punch players," he said. "Bails was trying to free himself to play the ball.

"Our cohesion wasn't there but we've managed to get into the top four," added McClennan, knowing his side will now get two shots in the play-offs.

"We've got a good break as well to get ready for going to Wigan on Sunday."