A dramatic last eight minutes at the Walker's Stadium saw Town come from behind to beat Leicester 2-1. The Foxes had gone ahead earlier in the second half via an inexplicable penalty converted by Paul Dickov. Thomas Gaardsøe and Darren Ambrose grabbed the goals as justice was ultimately done.

Marcus Bent returned to the starting line-up alongside Pablo Couñago in attack and at the back Matt Holland continued in the three with Gaardsøe and Chris Makin. Hermann Hreidarsson and Fabian Wilnis were at wing-back while Jamie Clapham, Jim Magilton and Tommy Miller comprised the midfield.

A minute's silence in memory of former Leicester striker Arthur Rowley was impeccably observed before the announcement of James Scowcroft in the Leicester team was greeted with applause by the Town faithful.

The pattern of the game quickly became evident with Leicester playing three in attack and their more direct approach a contrast to Town's usual passing strategy.

The first real chance of the game came in the eighth minute after Town over-elaborated at the back. Thomas Gaardsøe played the ball into Jim Magilton not far outside the Town area and surrounded by Leicester players.

The midfielder played the ball back to Andy Marshall who scuffed the ball into the path of Brian Deane. The keeper rushed out towards the striker and blocked at his feet, both players suffering injuries, Marshall to his right leg.

Kicking was proving a bit of a problem for Marshall due to the injury, but it didn't seem to hamper him a few minutes later when he saved a shot from Scowcroft inside the area after Deane had headed down a high ball.

Town were having a fair bit of possession but Leicester were creating the chances, Izzet heading a Rogers freekick over the bar in the 15th minute. For the Blues a large number of passes ended with Jamie Clapham having a shot blocked.

As the half hour approached the Blues started to get a few efforts at Ian Walker's goal, Couñago and Miller got in each other's way, the Spaniard hitting his shot wide. Marcus Bent had one blocked and one go across the face of the goal not long after.

Matt Elliott had a shot blocked before Paul Dickov went wide after a mix-up in the Town defence between Holland, Makin and Marshall, the keeper and Makin having a frank exchange of views after the danger had passed.

There was more action in the Town box on 38 as a series of efforts from Deane, Scowcroft and Elliott were scrambled away by Marshall.

The Town keeper had again been a villain at Portsmouth on Saturday but he was well and truly making up for it in this game. His best save of the half came in the 40th minute when Jordan Stewart crossed from the left. Scowcroft flicked it on and Deane behind him sent a looping header goalwards and over Marshall's head.

The keeper just managed to get his fingertips to it and pushed it onto the bar and, as the ball was on its way back out towards Deane, managed to punch it backwards over the bar.

As the half ended Wilnis broke down the right and sent in a cross which Couñago got to at the near post, Matt Elliott blocking his effort.

A fairly even and entertaining first half despite Leicester having the majority of the chances. At the break neither side made any changes and it was Town who were quickly on the offensive, Tommy Miller exchanging passes with Marcus Bent before hitting a shot over the bar.

On 49 there came the first of several controversial decisions from referee Mr Mathieson. A ball forward by Leicester evaded everyone and ended up with Andy Marshall, however Paul Dickov fell unchallenged to the ground on the edge of the area. Thomas Gaardsøe was lectured by the referee before Matt Elliott hit a freekick into the Town wall.

Three minutes later Gaardsøe was in the ref's book for a foul on Dickov where he won the ball but came in from behind, a number of Leicester players unhappy at the challenge.

Referee Mathieson's most bizarre decision of the afternoon came in the 53rd minute as Andy Marshall saved a Brian Deane header from a Scowcroft ball across. While the ball was being cleared the referee pointed to the spot much to the chagrin of Fabian Wilnis who took out his venom on the linesman, and to the surprise of practically everyone in the ground.

To Town fans on the terraces there was much discussion about why the kick had been awarded while TV viewers and pundits were equally mystified. A possible handball by Wilnis was a popular suggestion amongst fans at the game mainly due to his angry reaction, however Sky later reported that the kick was awarded for a push by Jim Magilton, although their replay revealed handball by Brian Deane.

Whatever it was for, Paul Dickov was the man given the responsibility from the spot. The Scot hit his shot to Marshall's left, the keeper guessing right but failing to get his hand on the ball.

The goal gave the game a different complexion with Leicester starting to dominate. However, a Town corner from Jamie Clapham led to Thomas Gaardsøe heading just wide in almost a carbon copy of his goal at Portsmouth.

Joe Royle decided to make a switch on 57, changing the seething Wilnis for Darren Ambrose, the youngster playing wide on the right.

Leicester were still having the best of it and Marshall did well to tip over a Scowcroft cross over the bar.

Chris Makin picked up a yellow card somewhat harshly after a Jordan Stewart went to ground on the left flank.

Darren Ambrose was starting to make his presence felt and sent in a dangerous looking low cross and a shot, both of which were blocked inside the area.

James Scowcroft was always a threat despite dropping back into the midfield after Leicester's goal, and on 66 he headed a deep cross onto the roof of the Town net.

In the 69th minute Jermaine Wright replaced Jim Magilton and three minutes later Richard Naylor took the place of the tired looking Marcus Bent.

Billy McKinley forced a good save from Marshall on 73 with a 25-yard shot and six minutes later picked up a yellow card for a foul on Richard Naylor.

It was a foul on Hermann Hreidarsson which was to lead to the Town equaliser. The Blues had started to press Leicester more than at any time since the goal and the Icelander was impeded just over halfway on the left. Tommy Miller took the freekick and sent it long beyond the far post. Thomas Gaardsøe followed the ball's flight perfectly and craned his neck to send a header back over Walker and into the net.

The goal gave Town new impetus, and just five minutes later the Blues grabbed a winner. Hermann Hreidarsson crossed low from the left towards Richard Naylor and Pablo Couñago on the edge of the six yard box. The strikers appeared to get in one another's way but Darren Ambrose was on hand to stab the ball into the Leicester net before running to celebrate in front of the travelling support.

Few Town goals have been celebrated as wildly this season, but there was still the matter of three minutes of normal time and four of injury time to endure. Initially it appeared that Town were more likely to score a third, however a series of corners gave Leicester a final chance of an equaliser. Fortunately Andy Marshall grabbed the final ball in with surprising confidence and Mr Mathieson blew the whistle.

A pulsating end to an entertaining game which looked to have been handed to the home side by a frankly astonishing refereeing decision. Questions have to be asked about an official's competence when no one else is aware of why a penalty has been awarded.

The first time Town have come from behind in the league for just over a year, the last at Spurs just before last Christmas, Alun Armstrong gaining that last minute winning goal.

On a day when Thomas Gaardsøe again impressed and scored a vital goal, beleaguered Andy Marshall probably did more than most to ensure a Town victory with some vital saves despite picking up an injury early on. The pick was the first half tip onto the bar from Deane, particularly as he had the presence of mind to punch over the returning ball.

Four points from the Christmas period so far after games against the top two and Leicester become the second side the Blues have completed the double over this season. Up to 16th in the league and now just eight points away from the play-off places. Wins at home to Walsall and Millwall in the next week could give Town's cause an even healthier look.

Photo: Action Images

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