Jaden Philogene’s superb second-half strike condemned faltering Preston to a 1-0 defeat at Hull.
North End are now seven games without victory after Philogene, who scored in similarly impressive fashion against Birmingham on Wednesday, let rip with a powerful low hit after 68 minutes.
The England Under-21 international was the stand-out performer in a scrappy game as Hull ended a frustrating run of home form to move into the Sky Bet Championship play-offs.
Preston manager Ryan Lowe might feel hard done by, however, as his side were denied valid claims for a second-half penalty.
They were also in relative control of the game until Philogene stole the show with a moment of exceptional individualism.
The hosts, with just one prior home win all season, nonetheless looked the more likely scorers in the first half.
Philogene and Scott Twine both flashed wide from distance, but Preston goalkeeper Freddie Woodman was not once tested in the first half.
If anything, North End, despite having lost Will Keane and Greg Cunningham to early injuries, grew into the game.
But neither side could convincingly force the issue, with a sell-out MKM Stadium growing increasingly subdued by the dearth of chances at either end.
That was until just before the break when Jean Michael Seri threaded a perfect ball through the heart of Preston’s midfield.
Philogene was one-on-one with Woodman but dithered in possession and took the ball wide of the target without even having a shot.
It could have been a costly error if referee Lewis Smith had been in more charitable mood after 47 minutes.
Preston had a strong shout for a penalty when Alfie Jones appeared to haul down Alan Browne, but Smith was having none of it.
Philogene then nearly atoned for his naivety when he cut inside at pace from the left before striking towards the bottom-right corner.
Woodman was, however, well positioned and pulled off a fine save with his fingertips after 53 minutes.
Preston also had their moments, most notably after 65 minutes when neat interplay between Ched Evans and Browne on the right gave Liam Millar a clear sight on goal.
Millar struck well, but Adama Traore pulled off a fine sliding challenge to steer the ball away for a corner.
Just when Preston looked set to kick on following a sustained spell of pressure, Hull scored.
Philogene had the beating of Brad Potts all game and waltzed past the defender before firmly planting the ball off the base of a post and into the bottom-right.
Preston could easily have wilted, but they doggedly stayed in contention and nearly equalised on 81 minutes.
Substitute Evans was teed up on the left by Browne but his goal-bound strike was expertly kept out by Ryan Allsop.
Lowe’s men went for broke towards the death, but they could find no way through.
Slot: Guardiola contract is 'good news' for Premier League
Arne Slot believes it is "good news" for the Premier League that Pep Guardiola has signed a contract extension with Manchester City.
The Spaniard signed a two-year extension with the reigning champions and will remain in the dugout at the Etihad until 2027.
He has won 18 major trophies in his time at City, including six Premier League titles, and twice beat Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool to the top-flight crown by a single point.
Guardiola averages 2.35 points per game in the Premier League, the highest rate of any manager (20+ matches). Indeed, he is so far ahead of the next highest (Alex Ferguson's 2.16), he could lose his next 26 league games in a row and would still be top.
Slot is yet to face City since taking over from Klopp at the start of the season, with the rivals' first meeting of the season set for December 1.
"It's good news for City and for the league because everyone wants the best managers and the best players over here," Slot said when asked about Guardiola's new contract.
"He is definitely one of the best managers, maybe the best manager of the league.
"He's won four titles in a row, so it's fair to say he's maybe the best manager in the league.
"On the other hand, they have so many quality players that, if he would have made the choice to leave, I wouldn't have expected them to end up bottom of the league next season."
Other Premier League managers echoed Slot's sentiment, with Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler, who inflicted a fourth consecutive defeat on City before the international break, saying it is the "best thing that can happen to the Premier League".
"He is one of the best coaches in the world," Hurzeler said. "With his ideas, he always brings something new to the football stage, and it is always a challenge to compete against him.
"He always adapts quickly, always has new ideas and he can always win the game. I'm very happy because we can learn from him and to compete with him is a big, big experience."
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe added: "He's contributed so much to English football. He's revolutionised how a lot of teams play.
"I think he's incredibly talented, and it's good for the English game that he's still here.
"He will continue to develop and evolve his style, and people will potentially continue to follow that. From the competition side, I think it keeps the Premier League as the best in the world."
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with AC Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to AC Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A, but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
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