AK RACKS 'EM UP FOR BORO

Play-off bid alive as Chuba scores in 9th home game in row

- SIMON BIRD

CHUBA AKPOM blasted Middlesbrough to the brink of the play-offs and set a new record of scoring in nine consecutive Championship home games.

The former Arsenal kid helped blow Hull away as Michael Carrick’s hopefuls netted three goals in six minutes around the hour.

Akpom’s scoring streak at the Riverside has beaten Tammy Abraham’s eight-game home run with Aston Villa.

Hayden Hackney and Cameron Archer also netted to virtually guarantee a top-six finish, and a crack at Wembley and the top flight. Boro are top scorers in the division.

But they fell behind in the first half. City striker Allahyar Sayyadmanesh broke clear of Akpom and planted a header home from Adama Traore’s corner.