Two headed goals from Gareth McAuley gave Leicester the points at Portman Road with Owen Garvan seeing red for Town.

McAuley headed in on 28 minutes following a Levi Porter corner and then did the same early in the second-half from a Mark Yeates cross.

Garvan was sent-off for the first time in this career after picking up two bookings, the first one harsh the second one for a rash two footed challenge on Porter.

Jaime Peters and Jon Walters both went close for Town as the Foxes won their first League game at Portman Road in 19 years.

Jaime Peters in action against Leicester

Garvan passed a late fitness test on his knee and lined up in midfield alongside Darren Currie, making his first start for Town in over four months.

Richard Naylor was ruled out with a toe injury, Fabian Wilnis keeping his place in the middle of the defence alongside Alex Bruce.

Billy Clarke was handed a starting role alongside Walters, who was making his home debut, Alan Lee and Gary Roberts both suspended.

Leicester started quiet brightly, Geoff Horsfield heading over. Iain Hume then had a shot blocked while at the other end, Clarke dragged a shot wide.

Currie then picked out Peters with a sublime pass over 40 yards but the Canada international lost possession inside the Foxes' box.

Currie was clear but offside from Clarke's pass after Walters had forced Patrick Kisnorbo into a mistake.

Peters' header almost put in Clarke at the far post as Town started to create openings and Peters brought a terrific save from Paul Henderson on 18 minutes, the rebound just evading the waiting Clarke.

Bruce missed his header from Yeates' cross but Horsfield failed to take advantage as the Foxes had their own openings, Hume bringing a save from Lewis Price with a low drive.

Leicester took the lead on 27 minutes, Levi Porter's corner headed in by McAuley from five yards out after he lost his marker, Sylvain Legwinski.

Town responded with a Clarke header over the bar from Currie's free-kick, Peters then blocked out with another effort.

Hume's perseverance almost paid off when he hooked the ball back from the byeline, Price diving on the ball to smother the danger.

Peters then fired wide from the edge of the area, before setting up Currie whose cross was blocked by Kisnorbo at the nearpost as Clarke challenged.

Bruce blocked Yeates' shot with David Wright doing the same as Porter broke on the half-time whistle.

Garvan was harshly booked in the opening exchanges of the second-half for a foul on Andy Johnson, the Irish teenager's fourth yellow card of the season.

Leicester extended their lead on 55 minutes, Yeates whipping in a cross after a short corner and McAuley powering in to head home from close range.

Peters continued to carry the main threat for Town and another a strong run at the Foxes' defence saw him shoot wide.

Horsfield wasted a great chance for Leicester, flashing his shot well wide, then Porter did the same from the edge of the box, Horsfield then failing to connect with an overhead kick inside the box.

At the other end Walters showed good pace before firing inches wide, Town then making a double change on 67 minutes with Danny Haynes and George O'Callaghan replacing Clarke and Legwinski.

Blues were reduced to 10 men within 60 seconds, Garvan seeing a second yellow and then red for a two footed challenge on Porter.

Town pressed forward and Walters had a header cleared off the line by Kisnorbo, Peters then having a shot blocked inside the box by Alan Maybury.

Blues should have reduced the arrears on 81 minutes, Peters doing well down the right flank and his left foot cross was headed just wide by Haynes, Walters inches away from deflecting the ball over the line.

Jason Jarrett was booked a foul on Currie, Haynes then flashing a header over the bar as Blues camped around the Foxes' goal.

Peters, Town's best player on the day, sent Henderson scurrying across his goal with Blues' last attempt of a disappointing 90 minutes.

The red card for Garvan means he will be suspended for next week's FA Cup trip to Watford.

Town: Price, Wright, Wilnis, Bruce, Harding, Peters, Legwinski (O'Callaghan 67), Garvan, Currie, Clarke (Haynes 67), Walters. Subs not used: Supple, Richards, Sito. Sent-off: Garvan. Booked: Garvan.