Castleford's play-off hopes suffered another big blow as they were badly beaten 50-18 at home by Hull FC.
Jordan Turner, Willie Manu and Tom Briscoe each ran in two tries for Hull, while Kirk Yeaman, Danny Houghton and Will Sharp all crossed too as the Black and Whites ensured a top eight finish.
Danny Orr, Nick Youngquest and Willie Isa responded for the Tigers.
But Cas drop to ninth, on level points with Hull KR, who they must now meet next Sunday at Craven Park.
And this crushing home defeat, in outgoing coach Terry Matterson's final game at Wheldon Road, is the second time in three matches that they have had 50 points stuck on them - following their 56-0 defeat at Leeds three weeks go.
To make matters worse, two former Castleford favourites returned to haunt their old club, Manu scoring two of Hull's nine tries, while his second row partner Joe Westerman kicked seven goals.
Westerman, roundly booed with every touch of the ball, was handed the goalkicking responsibility in the absence of the injured Danny Tickle.
Two long-range tries from England winger Tom Briscoe were the highlight of Hull's impressive performance.
But top scorer Yeaman's try on his return from suspension, his 21st of the campaign, means that he has now scored in each of his side's last five meetings with Cas.
The only disappointment for the Black and Whites was the sight of veteran captain Craig Fitzgibbon hobbling off a minute into the second half.
He will go for hospital scans to determine the extent of an ankle injury.
A third defeat in four matches means that the Tigers drop out of the top eight for the first time all season.
But they will have one last chance to extend their season against Rovers, 30-28 winners over Catalan Dragons in Perpignan.
POST-MATCH VIEWS
Hull coach Richard Agar:
"We've shown over the last few months when the pressure is on that the boys never lose belief in themselves.
"We had a really difficult start to the year but it's how you finish. It's a big tribute to the boys in that they believed in what we were doing and, at the moment, we're full of confidence.
"We're in there now and we can go into the Warrington game with the pressure off but we want a continuation of our form. We want to finish as high up the table as we can.
"Craig Fitzgibbon was just outstanding. In games like this you want that leadership in your side. It was a blow losing him. He's rolled his ankle and he'll go for a scan. He might have some ligament damage but we'll see how he pulls up."
TEAMS
Castleford: McGoldrick; Youngquest, Isa, Arundel, Owen; Chase, Orr; Massey, Hudson, B Davies, Jones, Holmes, Aspinwall.
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