Stephen Brooker marked his home debut after his move from Port Vale with a goal and an assist for his new club as Bristol City recorded an impressive victory.
High-flying Hull had a brief spell on top in the second half when Delroy Facey headed them level, but the final scoreline could have been wider.
Injuries are still holding Hull back but they felt the rub of the green might be with them against a Bristol side missing two key defenders - Tommy Doherty and right-back Jamie Smith – who were both suspended.
It didn't work out that way because they always gave Bristol too much room to develop attacks.
It was an unexpected respect for Bristol and their player manager Brian Tinnion exploited it to the full as he kept his wide runners Scott Murray and Mickey Bell in the action.
There was a question over Luke Wilkshire whether jet lag would effect him after flying in from Australia on Thursday. He gave Hull nothing and directed the final attacks to set up shots for Bell and Leroy Lita until tiredness saw him replaced for the final 20 minutes.
With the ball skidding freely off the wet grass, Hull lived through several dangerous moments before Brooker's 38th minute strike.
Tinnion was the architect with a thinking man's chip for a strong downward header which Hull keeper Boaz Myhill had no chance of reaching.
At the break Danny Allsopp took over from Ryan France in Hull's midfield and they began to look more of a threat.
Hull's satisfaction was quickly wiped out though as Wilkshire came in to seize Brooker's header back across goal to put Bristol back in front within three minutes.
Tony Butler had been having a difficult time in Bristol's backline but it all came right for him when he went up for a corner and converted Bell's free-kick to put the game beyond doubt.