Hull City edged out Preston North End to move into the Championship top six at the expense of their out-of-form opponents at the MKM Stadium.
A tepid game failed to get going until midway into the second half when Hull made the breakthrough courtesy of Jaden Philogene.
His goal came after he raced into the box and, as Preston failed to close him down, he fired in left footed off the post.
The result means Preston's winless run extends to seven games as they drop to eighth, while Hull moved into sixth position thanks to a second win on the bounce.