Preston's third visit to Yorkshire in as many weeks ended in defeat as Hull City took the points with a 3-0 victory.

Goals from Dean Windass, Fraizer Campbell and Andy Dawson sealed the victory for the Tigers in front of over 16,000 spectators at the KC Stadium.

Having grabbed the opener on 11 minutes, Hull built on their platform and defended resolutely, edging out North End whenever they showed signs of promise.

In a fairly even opening 10 minutes, left back Damien Delaney volleyed an effort wide of Lonergan's left post whilst Andy Carroll placed a firm effort from just inside area that was bound for the top corner. Bo Myhill in the Hull goal stretched out a hand and palmed over for PNE's first corner kick of the game.

The first strike of the match came from the head of veteran forward Dean Windass. Fraizer Campbell latched onto a through ball and drilled in an effort destined for the bottom corner. Andy Lonergan thwarted his attempt, but unluckily, in similar fashion to that against Leicester, the ball squirmed up and Dean Windass found himself to be in the right place nodding in from a matter of yards.

The former Middlesbrough man almost grabbed his second ten minutes later with a powerful header from the edge of the box. Windass used his neck muscles to great effect but his headed finish lacked direction and floated a few yards over.

The second did come however only moments later. Frazier Campbell capitalised on a misplaced defensive header by the unfortunate Matt Hill to drill past Andy Lonergan from 14 yards. It was an inch perfect finish that left the PNE number one with very little chance.

If luck had been with North End in the first period then the Lilywhites might have grabbed a goal back almost instantly. McKenna's deep cross landed at Andy Carroll's feet but rather unfortunately the ball trickled away from the on loan forward who was somewhat off balance from his attempts to control the centre midfielder's delivery.

As the opening 45 minutes progressed, Whaley saw long distance attempt miss the target whilst the Tigers squandered a chance to make it 3-0 when good work from Campbell in the centre of the park was nullified by a poor McPhee cross.

A Dean Windass free kick from just outside the area five minutes before the break brought about a further opening from the home side. Lonergan spilled the set piece and allowed Ricketts to stand a cross up, however the big stopper recovered and held at the second time in what was the last real opening before half time.

Paul Simpson made two changes in the interval, bringing Patrick Agyemang and Darren Carter into the fold at the expense of Chris Sedgwick and Andy Carroll.

Darren Carter's introduction gave North End a spark in the opening moments of the second period. He forged a corner out of nothing that started a few minutes of continued possession for PNE. In that time Matt Hill popped up unmarked at the far post from an inswinging Paul McKenna corner, but failed to steer goalwards with a rising left-footed half volley.

Callum Davidson picked up his seventh yellow card of the season before Hull made it 3-0 on 63 minutes. Substitute Andy Dawson buried a 25-yard free kick with a curling effort past the right hand of Andy Lonergan. The set piece had stemmed from a mistimed challenge on Campbell by Reading loanee John Halls.

North End worked hard to try and get themselves back into the clash as proceedings became more and more open. Agyemang carved out a few half chances with his pace but nothing clear cut came as the Hull backline stood firm.

Brett Ormerod replaced Hawley upfront as Simpson made his third change of the game with Phil Brown following suit, replacing Windass with Okocha.

Callum Davidson, breaking from midfield dragged a shot wide, whilst Lonergan produced the save of the game when he turned a ferocious Jay Jay Okocha effort over the bar. The passage of play received a standing ovation from the support, both in turn for the shot and then the resulting stop that followed.

Brett Ormerod had a late attempt denied by the linesman's flag and keeper Bo Myhill before referee Mathieson blew the final whistle to end a disappointing day for the Lilywhites in Humberside.

Hull City: Myhill, Delaney, Brown (Dawson 49), Turner, Ricketts, Hughes, Marney, Ashbee (captain), McPhee, Windass (Okocha 73), Campbell (Elliot 62). Subs not used: Duke, Livermore.

PNE: Lonergan, Hill, St. Ledger, Mawene, Halls, Whaley, Davidson, McKenna (captain), Sedgwick (Agyemang 46), Carroll (Carter 46), Hawley (Ormerod 71). Subs not used: Chris Neal, Chilvers.

Referee: Mr S Mathieson

Yellow Cards: Davidson (PNE)

Red Cards: None

Attendance: 16,358