HULL FC coach Peter Gentle praised his men for overcoming adversity to seal a Challenge Cup final place at Wembley.
After securing the biggest and most satisfying win of his coaching career with a 16-12 semi-final victory over Warrington, Hull will now face Wigan in the showpiece final on August 24.
Gentle's side will again be the underdogs for that Wembley adventure, but after thriving on the mantle against Warrington that should not pose a problem.
"We spoke about overcoming adversity when it came our way and we did that," said Gentle, who saw Shannon McDonnell ruled out with a hamstring injury after six minutes.
"We can't find an easy way to do things, can we?
"You saw the desperation and that's what we want.
"It was a gutsy performance, especially after losing Shannon so early because it put us under a lot of stress and pressure on our interchanges.
"I thought our forwards were exceptional in the middle having to play extended minutes.
"Our kicking game was exceptional and our defence was the best it's been in a long time.
"It's very satisfying to win this game and it will be our goal to be the first FC team to win at Wembley."
As well as recovering from the blow of losing full-back McDonnell and conceding two tries inside the first 12 minutes, Hull overcame the Wolves in a real nail-biter.
Their reward is a repeat of the classic 1985 final which they lost 28-24 in a game still revered for the exploits of great Australian halves Brett Kenny and Peter Sterling.
Hull will now be hoping Aussie half-back Daniel Holdsworth can take his semi-final form to Wembley after a man-of-the-match return from a calf injury.
"We wouldn't have won without Daniel," said Gentle. "That's how big a performance it was from him and I must give our medical team a big wrap for getting him back."
