PETER Gentle says Hull FC's derby win proves his side can be genuine contenders on two fronts in the season's run-in.
Hull shocked Hull KR with five second-half tries to come from behind and take the derby honours in a match Gentle admitted was a must-win for his team.
The 38-20 victory at MS3 Craven Park lifted Hull above their city rivals in the table and kept the Black and Whites in the hunt for a home tie in the play-offs.
Delighted with a third successive victory, which also builds Hull's momentum ahead of an impending Challenge Cup final in less than two weeks, Gentle says his players have shown the mental strength and ability needed to challenge for honours in both competitions.
"With all the distraction over the Challenge Cup, we have to learn to play with that and the boys are doing so," said the Aussie coach.
"It is a wonderful victory for the boys and for the club and it was an important win.
"The play-offs have always been in our hands and they still are."
Hull leapt above Rovers into seventh place with a win that saw them grind out the first half before cutting free in the second, thanks to two quick-fire tries from Jamie Shaul and Joe Arundel.
A last-minute win for Catalan Dragons at Bradford gave Hull a four-point cushion above the Bulls in the play-offs.
With six points left to play for, the Dragons remain two points ahead of Gentle's side in sixth and holding on to that all-important home draw.
The Black and Whites return to action on Friday with a short turnaround.
Coming a week before the cup final, Gentle admits getting the right mental approach is now key to keeping Hull on course for a top-six finish.
"Nothing is a forgone conclusion," he added. "We've got Salford up next and that will be a real test for us mentally to get up for that at home knowing the Challenge Cup is in touching distance.
"That is a big game for us to get up for. Then we finish with Wigan and Saints so there are still a few games to play yet."
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