LEEDS UTD: Sullivan, Kelly, Butler, Kilgallon, Harding, Miller, Walton (Richardson 84), Lewis, Hulse, Blake (Pugh 90), Healy (Moore 90).
Subs Not Used: Bennett, Crainey.
LEICESTER CITY: Douglas, Stearman, Gerrbrand, McCarthy, Maybury, Sylla, Gudjonsson, Kisnorbo (de Vries 81), Smith, Hume, Hammond (Dublin 87).
Subs Not Used: Tiatto, Johansson, Hamill.
Att: 21,402
Matthew Kilgallon’s second-half winner made it a fourth successive Championship victory for Leeds, and he gave chairman Ken Bates a welcome birthday present.
The defender’s 73rd-minute strike takes Leeds to third in the table, and the side in form.
Leeds began brightly and came close to opening the scoring after just three minutes when Paul Butler headed narrowly over from Eddie Lewis’ free-kick. But Leicester soon gained a foothold on proceedings and on-loan Arsenal midfielder Ryan Smith rifled in a 25-yard shot which Neil Sullivan was forced to tip over.
But Leeds began to pose the greater goal threat and Lewis hit a superb 18-yard effort which crashed against the bar to let the Foxes off the hook.
Kevin Blackwell cetainly went to town, showing no fear with a strike force of Rob Hulse, Robbie Blake and Healy.
After on-loan Manchester United midfielder Liam Miller volleyed wide from distance, Leeds opened the scoring in 41st minute after Blake was fouled by Patrick Kisnorbo 25 yards from goal.
The former Burnley striker touched the free-kick into the path of Healy, who rifled home a fine 25-yard shot to send Leeds in at the break with an advantage. And they came within inches of doubling their lead four minutes after the restart as the woodwork again came to Leicester’s rescue. Gary Kelly’s outswinging corner from the right was met by a firm header from Hulse, who was unlucky to see his effort hit the bar.
Hulse committed a clumsy foul on Gudjonsson and the Icelandic midfielder dusted himself down and stroked the ball home to put the Foxes on course for a point.
But Kilgallon made it different four minutes late he restored Leeds’ advantage with his first goal of the season. Lewis’ free-kick fell into the path of Blake, who teed Kilgallon up to fire home left-footed from 12 yards.
The strike sent Elland Road wild and the temperature reached boiling point two minutes later when McCarthy saw red. Leicester continued to battle during the closing stages and Hume came close to finding an equaliser, but Leeds held on for another precious victory.
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