Hull manager Ruben Selles was determined to enjoy the moment after seeing his side narrowly cling onto their Championship status with a 1-1 final-day draw at Portsmouth.
The Tigers stayed up ahead of Luton on goal difference to avoid dropping into the third tier for the first time in four years.
Matt Crooks’ 18th-minute opener looked to have set Hull on course for the victory that would have guaranteed survival.
It got nervy for the 2,100 away fans – many of whom travelled on 17 coaches paid for by Hull owner Acun Ilicali – when Pompey substitute Christian Saydee equalised 10 minutes after half-time.
Selles said: “It’s always very difficult to come here and play against Portsmouth.
“We obviously wanted to get the three points, because that way we didn’t need to think about anything else.
“After we conceded that goal we made one step backwards and it is very difficult with the emotion of the day.
“We knew towards the end with the other results that one point would be enough so we made the decision to try to defend. Everyone was fully invested in the task.
“The fans were amazing. We had the talk with the players this morning and said that in 20 years’ time we will remember this game, even if we will do it or not.
“The most important thing is to have no regrets about what you do because it has been a really very painful season for them and for us together.
“You need to enjoy those victories because it’s not often when you hit those moments.”
Hull started strongly and took a deserved lead after 18 minutes when a corner from Gustavo Puerta was flicked on by Joao Pedro for Crooks to fire home from inside the six-yard box.
But Pompey hit back in the 55th minute when Saydee fired home with a rasping right-foot finish from a tight angle.
John Egan almost settled the anxiety in the away end when his stoppage-time header was tipped wide by Pompey goalkeeper Ben Killip.
With Luton being well-beaten at West Brom, Hull saw out time to seal their escape.
Portsmouth boss John Mousinho said: “I thought it was important to try and stay unbeaten towards the back end of the season, we managed to do that.
“Five games unbeaten is a really good return, considering we didn’t have anything to play for in the last two in terms of relegation.
“I’m really happy with that although I thought the performance was awful for 20 minutes.
“As soon as the Hull goal went in the lads actually realised that we were in a game and we were much more professional after that.”
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