Square Pegs In Square Holes Brings City Away Win

Superb first-half goals from Ivan Sproule and Cole Skuse brought the City a much-needed win at Leicester.

Following stinging criticism directed at manager Gary Johnson over the last few days, the Cockney was forced into finally picking players in their proper positions once again. And how it worked!

Bradley Orr made a long overdue return to right-back whilst Ivan Sproule, the only natural winger at the club, was restored to the wing. Lee Johnson and Marvin Elliott were the two to make way.

Leicester started brightly with Martin Waghorn and Paul Gallagher sending in teasing crosses in the early stages before one-time City target Richie Wellens missed the target from distance on 13.

City, looking more lively and potent on the counter attack than in recent weeks, nearly opened the scoring with Danny Haynes releasing Nicky Maynard who's stabbed shot was blocked by the body of ex-City keeper Chris Weale.

The first goal was always going to be crucial in this encounter with both sides down on confidence and in need of a result.

City fans had their hearts in their mouths when Waghorn appeared to be tripped by Lewin Nyatanga inside the box but young ref Steve Cook waved away the appeals of the home side after consulting with his linesman.

The let off was just what City needed as the first goal arrived moments later on 19 minutes and it came in some style!

Ivan Sproule cut in from the right touchline and set off on a mazy run from the half-way line. Running at the backtracking Foxes defence at pace, the Ulsterman beat four men before lifting his angled shot over the despairing Weale for a superb individual goal.

Sproule was booked for whipping his shirt off in front of the delirious City fans in the corner and duly pointed to the sky in memory of his son who was still-born a few weeks ago.

Leicester hit back with Danny N'Guessan firing wide from 20-yards before Paul Hartley curled a free-kick from a similar distance just wide.

Then on 29 minutes came the game's second moment of pure inspiration.

Restored to his best position in central midfield, Cole Skuse picked up the ball some 40-yards out and strode towards goal before unleashing an ferocious drive with left-foot swinger than flew into the top left-hand corner of the net.

It was a tremendous strike which shows exactly what the young Bristolian is capable of in his proper position.

The game petered out towards the interval and City, refreshingly continued to look comfortable in the second half.

Nyatanga fired harmlessly over and McAllister found the arms of Weale from a 25-yard free-kick before Fontaine glanced wide from a corner on 66.

The Foxes introduced their top-scorer Matty Fryatt at the expense of N'Guessan 2 minutes later as they sought a route back into the game.

Referee Cook ignored more penalty appeals from the home team, this time against Fontaine for an apparent hand ball and from that moment City launched a speedy counter-attack that effectively killed the game with 15 minutes left.

The impressive Skuse picked up the pieces and sped away through midfield before slipping in a perfectly weighted through-ball for Evander Sno to curl his low shot past Weale and into the bottom corner.

To compound a miserable evening for the Foxes, Waghorn was given his marching orders for a frustrated lunge at McAllister on 79.

In a rapidly emptying Walkers Stadium, Matty Fryatt raced onto a long punt from Weale and outpaced the water-treading McCombe to fire past Gerkin for a stoppage-time consolation.

But the night belonged to City and the 576 hardy souls that made the trip. More of the same please!

LEICESTER 4-4-2: Weale, Morrison, Brown, Hobbs, McGivern, Oakley, King, Wellens, N'Guessan (Fryatt 68), Waghorn, Gallagher.

CITY 4-3-3: Gerkin, Orr, Fontaine, Nyatanga, McAllister (McCombe 83), Skuse, Sno (Johnson 85), Hartley (Elliott 78), Sproule, Haynes, Maynard.

REFEREE: Steve Cook (Surrey)

* Match ratings provided by Will Collins of Thornbury, South Gloucs.