More away day blues for Town as first-half goals from Richard Stearman and Patrick Kisnorbo give Leicester the points.

Stearman forced the ball in after 12 minutes following a Stephen Clemence free-kick and Kisnorbo gained some consolation for his undeserved red card at Portman Road at the start of the month, with a trademark header from another Clemence set-piece just past the half hour.

Jon Walters hit the post with a header just before the break and Billy Clarke failed to find the net with a header from a free-kick late on as Town continue the search for that first away win of the season.

Pablo Counago kept his place in attack as Town started the game with two up front, Dan Harding and Gavin Williams the two changes from Saturday's draw against Burnley, the injured Sito and Danny Haynes making way.

Gavin Williams had the only shot of the first 10 minutes, the Welsh international's strike hardly troubling Marton Fulop in the home goal.

Stearman picked up the first booking of the game for rash challenge on Dan Harding, the Town defender then going into referee Keith Hill's book on 12 minutes for a foul and from the free-kick Leicester took the lead, Stearman forcing the ball in at the far post from Clemence's free-kick. 

Clemence, yellow carded for a foul on Tommy Miller on 15 minutes, was causing problems for Town with his delivery from set-pieces and another cross almost brought a second goal, Stearman heading into the sidenetting.

Matty Fryatt then escaped the Town defence from a Bruno N'Gotty pass, the offside flag raised before the striker could pounce.

Fulop was quick off  his line to deny Alan Lee as Town looked for an equaliser, then Walters threatened down the right flank but his shot was deflected wide for a corner. Williams' flag kick cleared by Kisnorbo.

Williams became the fourth player to be booked for a foul on James Chambers just after the half hour and Leicester extended their lead seconds later, Kisnorbo left alone to head in another excellent Clemence delivery.

Stearman and Alex Bruce both received treatment just before the break after a clash of heads as they challenged for a Collins John cross.

Town's best chance of the first-half fell to Walters just before the break, the wideman's header hitting the post from Williams' set-piece.

Iain Hume and John both wasted chances to make it three for the Foxes before half-time, while at the other end Fulop held firm from Williams' dangerous corner.

Referee Hill was central to the first action of the second-half, a David Wright clearance hitting the official on the side of the face and knocking him to the floor, the referee receiving lengthy treatment before returning to his feet.

Jason De Vos cleared bravely from another wicked Clemence corner as Gareth McAuley challenged, Leicester continuing to threaten from set-plays.

The first substitution of the game saw referee Hill replaced after failing to recover from the blow to his head just before the hour mark, referee's assistant Smith taking over.

Kisnorbo beat Counago to an Owen Garvan pass, the Australian international clearing the danger before Jim Magilton made his first change - introducing three substitutes at the same time, Billy Clarke, Fabian Wilnis and Danny Haynes coming on for Bruce, Williams and Counago.

Wilnis joined De Vos in the heart of the defence, Bruce perhaps still struggling after that clash of heads while Haynes and Clarke were pushed down the flanks to support Lee and Walters in attack.

Miller sent a free-kick wide as Blues looked for a way back into the game, while at the other end Neil Alexander saved well from Fryatt's drive.

Lee rose well to beat the Leicester defence at the far post but his header went the wrong side of the post before Ian Holloway made his first change, John making way for Darren Kenton with Hume pushed up front from midfield to partner Fryatt.

Leicester were inches away from making it three 12 minutes from time, Clemence's corner sent goalwards before Town cleared off the line.

Fryatt then wasted the chance to release Hume after beating Wilnis as the Foxes looked to tie up the points with the game entering the last 10 minutes.

At the other end Clarke wasted a gilt edged chance to reduce the arrears for Town from a Miller free-kick, the 20-year-old failing to find the net with a header from six yards.

Wright smashed a 30 yard effort well wide as Blues struggled to breach the Foxes' defence, Lee went close as the game went into added on time, Wilnis then trying his luck with a volley.

Alan Sheehan replaced Mattock for the last few minutes with Clarke almost grabbing a goal for Town with a terrific effort, Alexander then saving well from Hume after a Foxes' break in the last clear chance of the game.

Leicester's win ends a seven match run without success and takes them out of the relegation places, leaving Blues hoping Saturday's return to the midlands will see that elusive first away win of the season at Coventry on Saturday.

Leicester: Fulop, Stearman, McAuley, Kisnorbo, Mattock (Sheehan 90), Hume, Clemence, N'Gotty, J.Chambers, Fryatt, John (Kenton 75). Subs not used: A.Chambers, Hayes, Henderson. Booked: Stearman, Clemence.

Town: Alexander, Wright, De Vos, Bruce (Wilnis 67), Harding, Walters, Garvan, Miller, Williams (Clarke 67), Lee, Counago (Haynes 67). Subs not used: Supple, Trotter. Booked: Harding, Williams.