Irvine opened the scoring the for the Tigers after 28 minutes with a well-placed header from defender Stephen Kingsley's floated cross.
The game turned just after the interval with Preston's Alan Browne firing a curling effort into the back of the net to level the score at 1-1.
Hull thought they had won a penalty mid way through the second half when Irvine was taken down in the penalty area.
However, the Australian's appeal went to waste as referee Scott Duncan waved play on.
It wouldn't stop the Socceroos midfielder having the final say as he jumped high to nod home the winner ten minutes from time.
The win was Hull City's third straight and moves them to 15th on the Championship ladder with 30 points after 24 games.
Another Socceroos star finding form ahead of the Asian Cup was shot stopper Mat Ryan, who helped his Brighton & Hove Albion side to a 1-1 draw against Arsenal.
Ryan was forced to make a number of big saves against a dangerous Gunners attack desperate for three points.
Jurgen Locadia found the back of the net with 15 minutes to play to level the score for Ryan's side with the Australian goalkeeper denying Arsenal's Alex Iwobi in the dying stages to secure the point.
Back in the Championship, Massimo Luongo played 90 minutes for Queens Park Rangers as they thrashed Ipswich Town 3-0.
It was Luongo's last match for QPR before flying out to the UAE to link up with the Socceroos.
James Meridith also played 90 minutes in the Championship with his Millwall side defeating Reading 1-0.
Ryan Williams was a substitute for Rotherham in their 2-1 loss at Bolton.
The winger came on 66th minute after Bolton had taken a 2-1 lead but was unable to help his side snatch a point.
Adam Federici was an unused substitute for Stoke City as they lost 2-0 at Birmingham City, while Bailey Wright also remained on the bench in Bristol City's 1-1 draw with Brentford.
In England's League One, Bradden Inman came off the bench to inspire his Blackpool side to a 2-1 win against Blackpool.
The striker was introduced into the action after 65 minutes and provided an assist for Ian Henderson to score the match winner.
Kenneth Dougall proved he is set to make a full recovery from a serious ankle injury which ruled him out of contention for an Asian Cup call-up after a workmanlike 87 minute stint for Barnsley.
Dougall started the game in his side's 2-0 win against Peterbrough playing a key role in the centre of midfield.
He recieved a yellow card after 85 minutes before being substituted in the 87th minute.
In the last of the League One Aussies action, Bradford City went down to Sunderland 1-0 with Ryan McGowan playing a full 90 minutes.
Socceroos midfield maestro Tom Rogic played 90 minutes for Celtic as they battled out a thrilling 4-3 win against Aberdeen.
Rogic had trouble operating against a fiesty Aberdeen defence but would be thankful for being able to put in a full 90 minute performance only two games back from injury.
Despite Celtic's attempts to keep the Canberra product for Sunday's Old Firm Derby against Rangers, Rogic will now jet off to the UAE to join his Socceroos teammates ahead of the Asian Cup.
Hibernian's Socceroos contingent also put in their final stints for their club before the Asian Cup in a 1-1 draw with Rangers.
Martin Boyle and Jamie Maclaren both started the match but failed to make a big impact as both sides were forced to share the spoils.
Boyle played the full 90 minutes while Maclaren was substituted after 70 minutes.
Mark Milligan did not feature in the match day squad.
It was a good day for the Australian players at Hearts as they played a big role in their team's 2-0 win against Hamilton Academia.
Ben Garuccio started the match and provided an assist in the win, while Oliver Bozanic was busy after coming off the bench in the 81st minute.
Danny Vukovic had a solid showing for Belgium based club side KRC Genk as they secured a 3-1 win against Gent.
Vukovic is now set to fly to the UAE to join the Socceroos Asian Cup preparations.
Finally in Israel, Nikita Rukavytsya scored the only goal in Maccabi Haifa's 1-0 win against Ashdod.
