Leicester 1-0 Preston

Paul Gallagher’s first-half strike handed Leicester their third home league win of the season as the Foxes kept their first clean sheet in 15 matches.

Gallagher hit the match winner with ten minutes of the first half remaining to hand Sven-Goran Eriksson his second victory in charge.

Eriksson made seven changes from the team which was knocked out of the Carling Cup by West Brom midweek, as Chris Weale, Kyle Naughton, Jack Hobbs, Greg Cunningham, Richie Wellens, Matty Fryatt and Martyn Waghorn were all handed starts.

The Foxes were aiming to end Preston’s five-match winning streak at the Walkers Stadium against a side containing former fan’s favourite Iain Hume, currently on loan at North End from Championship rivals Barnsley.

But Hume could only look on as Gallagher fired Leicester in front after 36 minutes.

Yuki Abe’s well-placed ball released the Scot, whose excellent first touch set up a drilled left foot effort which flew past Preston goalkeeper Andy Lonergan.

Lonergan, who himself scored at the Walkers in bizarre circumstances back in 2004, was second best on this occasion.

The remainder of the match was evenly contested, but in the end it was Leicester who got a deserved victory which sees them move within seven points of a play-off place. Oh yes, we’re talking about it.

There were particularly eye-catching performances from summer imports Miguel Vitor and Yuki Abe, who both finally showed their capabilities after the initial hubbub of expectation surrounding both of their captures.

Eriksson will be delighted with his side’s clean sheet after a dreadful defensive run stretching back to the first home match of the season against Middlesbrough, as well as Leicester’s ability to kill off Darren Ferguson’s side.

Barnsley await at Oakwell next Saturday, a venue City have had more than their fair share of successes at in previous seasons.