Hull book Wembley playoff date with Bristol City

LONDON (Reuters) - Hull City routed Watford 4-1 in their Championship (second division) playoff on Wednesday to book a date in the Wembley final against Bristol City and the chance of playing in the Premier League next season.

Former England international Nick Barmby equalised for Hull, who won the first leg 2-0, just before halftime after they had gone behind to a Darius Henderson strike after 12 minutes.

Caleb Folan headed Hull in front in the 70th, Richard Garcia got their third in the 88th and Nathan Doyle's deflected shot made it four in injury time, giving Hull a 6-1 aggregate win.

Hull, who have never played in England's top division, face Bristol City on May 24 in the single richest game in world soccer worth about 60 million pounds to the winners in extra TV revenue, gate receipts and sponsorship.

Bristol City, who were last in the top flight 28 years ago, booked their ticket to the playoff final on Tuesday with a dramatic 2-1 extra-time win over visiting South London side Crystal Palace to wrap up a 4-2 aggregate victory.

(Reporting by Tom Pilcher, editing by Ken Ferris)