Match ends, Preston North End 2, Hull City 1.
Preston North End 2-1 Hull City
- From the section Championship
Preston claimed their first home win since 16 December with a hard-fought victory over struggling Hull City.
Hull took the lead when Jarrod Bowen's effort from Jackson Irvine's pass deflected past Declan Rudd.
The hosts levelled through Greg Cunningham's header, before Alan Browne scored their second from the spot after Fraizer Campbell fouled Billy Bodin.
Callum Robinson was denied by Allan McGregor as Preston continued to push, with Hull unable to threaten late on.
The result extended a miserable history at Deepdale for the Tigers, who have now lost 21 of their 27 league visits to Preston.
City have not won an away league game since a 1-0 victory at Barnsley on 21 October, with their latest failure keeping them in the relegation zone.
Preston, who sold Jordan Hugill to West Ham on deadline day, have won both of their two fixtures without their former star striker in the line-up, with former Bristol Rovers forward Bodin again influential.
Alex Neil's side remain just three points outside the play-off places after only their third victory in 11 home games.
Preston manager Alex Neil told BBC Radio Lancashire:
"I think at this stage of the season, I said this to the lads, winning the game is more important than performances at times.
"You can play really well but, if you don't get anything at the end of it, it doesn't really matter. Points are the prizes just now.
"We didn't start the game well, I think it took us 15 minutes to understand the what the game was about.
"We conceded the first goal, it was quite fortunate, it looped into the net. Lesser teams give up to an extent, but we didn't do that, we put our foot to the gas and managed to get two goals."
Hull head coach Nigel Adkins told BBC Radio Humberside:
"Against a good Preston side, we've come away from home, started well, nullified a lot of strengths they have, put the ball in right areas and scored a great goal.
"The big turning point for me is just before half-time, the referee wrongly gives the decision to award a penalty.
"It's not a penalty and the linesman is closest to it. It's hard for the referee to see it, so how can you give the decision?
"The linesman believes it's not a penalty, the referee's not even spoke to him. For me, it's changed the whole complexion of the game."
Line-ups
Preston
- 1Rudd
- 14Fisher
- 5Clarke
- 23Huntington
- 3Cunningham
- 4PearsonBooked at 66minsSubstituted forHarropat 76'minutes
- 12GallagherSubstituted forJohnsonat 70'minutes
- 39BodinBooked at 41mins
- 8Browne
- 29Barkhuizen
- 37RobinsonSubstituted forMoultat 79'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Horgan
- 10Harrop
- 11Johnson
- 17Spurr
- 21Moult
- 22Maxwell
- 32Earl
Hull
- 1McGregor
- 34Aina
- 5Hector
- 50MacDonald
- 24ClarkBooked at 90mins
- 20Bowen
- 8MeylerSubstituted forEvandroat 69'minutes
- 16Larsson
- 4Irvine
- 25CampbellSubstituted forWilsonat 69'minutes
- 9DickoSubstituted forKeaneat 74'minutes
Substitutes
- 12Marshall
- 14Diomande
- 15Evandro
- 19Keane
- 29Tomori
- 35Stewart
- 49Wilson
- Referee:
- Steve Martin
- Attendance:
- 11,605
Match Stats
Home TeamPrestonAway TeamHull
- Possession
- Home52%
- Away48%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away1
- Corners
- Home5
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home8
- Away7
Live Text
Full Time
Second Half ends, Preston North End 2, Hull City 1.
Booking
Max Clark (Hull City) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Billy Bodin (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Max Clark (Hull City).
Foul by Louis Moult (Preston North End).
Max Clark (Hull City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Darnell Fisher (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jackson Irvine (Hull City).
Foul by Daniel Johnson (Preston North End).
Michael Hector (Hull City) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt missed. Jarrod Bowen (Hull City) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Max Clark with a cross.
Attempt missed. Alan Browne (Preston North End) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Louis Moult (Preston North End) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Max Clark (Hull City).
Corner, Hull City. Conceded by Darnell Fisher.
Attempt blocked. Evandro (Hull City) right footed shot from the left side of the box is blocked. Assisted by Will Keane with a headed pass.
Greg Cunningham (Preston North End) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Jarrod Bowen (Hull City).
Attempt blocked. Tom Barkhuizen (Preston North End) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Darnell Fisher.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Louis Moult replaces Callum Robinson.
Attempt missed. Will Keane (Hull City) header from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Harry Wilson with a cross following a corner.
Corner, Hull City. Conceded by Tom Clarke.
Attempt blocked. Jarrod Bowen (Hull City) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Foul by Tom Clarke (Preston North End).
Jackson Irvine (Hull City) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Josh Harrop replaces Ben Pearson because of an injury.
Delay in match Ben Pearson (Preston North End) because of an injury.
Substitution
Substitution, Hull City. Will Keane replaces Nouha Dicko.
Substitution
Substitution, Preston North End. Daniel Johnson replaces Paul Gallagher.
Substitution
Substitution, Hull City. Harry Wilson replaces Fraizer Campbell.
Substitution
Substitution, Hull City. Evandro replaces David Meyler.
Booking
Ben Pearson (Preston North End) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Foul by Ben Pearson (Preston North End).
Jarrod Bowen (Hull City) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Billy Bodin (Preston North End) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left.
Attempt saved. Callum Robinson (Preston North End) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner. Assisted by Alan Browne with a cross.
Corner, Hull City. Conceded by Greg Cunningham.
Attempt blocked. Jarrod Bowen (Hull City) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Max Clark with a cross.
