Abel Hernandez's goal has given Hull City a 1-0 half-time lead over Preston North End in the Championship clash at the KC Stadium.
The visitors had the game's first opportunity when Chris Humphrey forced a superb save from Allan McGregor after the winger had cut inside from the right.
Hull had a chance to break the deadlock themselves just minutes later when they broke downfield from Paul Gallagher's poor corner, but Hernandez, recalled to the side in place of Nikica Jelavic, could only fire over the bar.
Steve Bruce's side wasted another opportunity when Moses Odubajo dragged wide of the target, but took the lead in fortuitous circumstances eight minutes before the whistle when Neil Kilkenny's attempted goal-line clearance ricocheted off Hernandez into the net.
Hernandez should have doubled his tally and Hull's lead just before the break after Andy Dawson's effort deflected into his path, but the Uruguayan was denied by a fine save from Jordan Pickford.
Tom Nightingale
