Garcia, who was called up for the Socceroos' squad to play Egypt this week, ended a 27-month goal drought with Hull's opener on 20 minutes.

The Australian international, who had missed a glorious chance to open the scoring after quarter of an hour, dived in at the back-post to head in Robert Koren's pinpoint cross to put the Tigers ahead.

Then on 72 minutes Garcia, who was playing up front, created the second after dispossessing Sean St Ledger, before running into the box and setting up Nick Barmby who scored from close-range.

The result moves the Tigers out of the bottom three and into 19th while Preston, who had Aussie teenager Bailey Wright on the bench, remain 23rd.

Elsewhere overnight, Mitch Langerak was an unused substitute as Borussia Dortmund continued their fine form with a 2-0 win over Hamburg SV.