Oli McBurnie scored for the third consecutive game to strengthen Hull City's grip on a play-off place with a win over West Bromwich Albion.

The striker, who spent two months on the sidelines with a calf injury, has come off the bench to score in wins over Wrexham and Millwall and against the Baggies, in his first start since October, he calmly netted from the penalty spot in the first half.

Albion had dominated the first half but Isaac Price produced a glaring miss from a few yards out and they failed to replicate their energy and threat in the second period to slump to an eighth consecutive away defeat to slip eight points adrift of the play-off places.

Their efforts to get back in the game were also hampered by a red card for defender Alfie Gilchrist for a foul on Liam Millar, as the Tigers racked up a third straight win to move up to fourth in the table.

West Brom's form on their travels has been abysmal in the last couple of months, and their position in the lower reaches of the table has placed some pressure on head coach Ryan Mason but his players produced one of their better displays in a positive first half.

Mikey Johnston went close with two attempts from the edge of the area, and Karlan Grant hooked a volley wide of the far post, but the away side should have gone ahead on 11 minutes.

Grant was the provider, driving a cross into the path of the inrushing Price, and he somehow side-footed it over the bar from a few yards out with the goal at his mercy.

The Baggies also lost defender Krystian Bielik to injury and were made to pay for their profligacy deep in first-half added time when Nat Phillips jumped for a corner and made connection with his hand, high over his head.

McBurnie, who only recently returned from his injury, stroked the spot-kick down the middle for his 10th goal in 13 games this season.

Hull head coach Sergej Jakirovic told BBC Radio Humberside:

"It was typical [of the Championship] because there were a thousand balls in the air and two thousand challenges. We struggled for the second ball, in the first half especially.

"We started well but lost our balance and West Brom were better - they had two great situations to score a goal and then gave us a penalty.

"We controlled the second half much better and had a few good chances, but kept a clean sheet which is very important and got three big points. The red card also helped a lot, for sure.

On Alfie Gilchrist's sending off:

"It was very harsh. I was a little bit surprised, because I was thinking it was a yellow card, but he pulled out a red."

West Bromwich Albion head coach Ryan Mason told BBC Radio WM:

"I've not seen the penalty back clearly but I thought it looked a pen. I thought there was a handball.

"I thought the ref had a difficult afternoon, there were a lot of mistakes in my opinion, but I can't make excuses for losing that game.

"We gave them a penalty, we didn't take our chances when we got them in the first half."

On Gilchrist's sending off:

I don't think it was a red [card]. I don't think there was any reaction from the Hull players or our players. The foot was high but I was there and he didn't touch him but my opinion's irrelevant.

"The loss was our mistake, our lack of discipline and we've been punished for a situation that's avoidable.

"There has been an emphasis on staying disciplined for 95, 100 minutes and we weren't able to do that once again."