Leicester City 0 Leeds United 1: Grayson’s delight at humbled United’s fightback

Just four days earlier, Grayson had suffered the indignity of losing 5-0 against another of his former clubs, Blackpool.

It was Leeds’s worst home defeat in 31 years and had led Grayson to demand a positive reaction against the Foxes this weekend.

Thanks to a stunning second-half goal by Adam Clayton, Grayson was in a position to celebrate victory and hailed the character and spirit shown by his players.

The result also lifted Leeds back up to seventh spot – level on points with Blackpool who are fifth in the Championship table.

“That result in midweek was difficult to take for the players and everyone connected with the club,” Grayson said. “To come here and win after what happened showed a lot of character and spirit amongst the group.

“I got the the response I expected from the players and a good all round team performance.”

To make the result even more satisfying, Leicester had been a real bogey side for Leeds in recent years.

This was the first time they had been beaten in nine meetings since 2005. It was also the first time Leicester had lost at home to Leeds since leaving Filbert Street and moving to their new stadium nine years ago.

Grayson lost patience with goalkeeper Paul Rachubka following the Blackpool result so loan signing Alex McCarthy made his debut after arriving from Reading.

The England Under-21 international enjoyed a trouble free afternoon mainly due to an impressive display from his back four .

Centre-back Andy O’Brien, who was making his first appearance in the league since the opening day defeat at Southampton, was a tower of strength as too Patrick Kisnorbo.

Having sacked Sven Goran Eriksson last month, the Foxes are still to appoint a new manager but are chasing Hull City’s Nigel Pearson after missing out on Huddersfield Town’s Lee Clark.

The caretaker managerial duo of Mike Stowell and Jon Rudkin named an unchanged side leaving former Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford on the bench.

It was Beckford’s first reunion with Leeds since leaving to join Everton two summers ago and, reflecting in the matchday programme, the striker said: “Looking back on the time I spent at Leeds, I recognise now that I had a tendency to be selfish on the pitch and I can see how that was frustrating for people.

“Aside from having my daughter and getting married, it was the most amazing experience I have been through in my life,” he added. “I’ll always be grateful for that experience, the opportunity Leeds gave me and the support of the fans.”

Leeds supporters saluted Beckford at regular intervals during the game and the striker acknowledged their chants when warming up with the other Leicester substitutes during the break.

There was far less warmth shown to Leicester’s other former Leeds player, goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Leeds came under early pressure from the hosts and McCarthy had to tip over a cross-come-shot from Richie Wellens.

But Grayson’s men soon established a foothold in the contest as both Ross McCormack and Clayton fired warning shots wide.

Referee Oliver Langford ignored pleas for a penalty when McCormack was nudged in the back by former Huddersfield Town defender Lee Peltier and, as the half wore on, it was Leeds looking the more comfortable of the sides.

Leicester finished the first half the stronger – Paul Gallagher shot over from 25 yards and also delivered a dangerous cross that was cut out by Aidy White.

McCarthy had to save when David Nugent shot from distance and White was lucky not to put Leeds in trouble when his attempted clearance struck Neil Danns and put the striker through on goal. A poor choice of pass averted the danger.

Leicester pushed hard after the interval but always struggled to get past a solid Leeds rearguard.

A bad clearance by Schmeichel gave Andy Keogh a sniff of goal but the striker failed to take advantage.

The game was still locked at stalemate when Clayton suddenly produced a moment of brlliance to put Leeds ahead.

Running onto the ball following a poor touch by Leicester’s Matt Mills, Clayton curled a 25-yard effort beyond Schmeichel’s reach and into the top corner of the net.

Now in need of an equaliser, Leicester sent on Beckford.

The striker threatened briefly with a sliced overhead kick and then allowed another chance to slip from his grasp with a poor first touch. But he was not about to steal the show.

Schmeichel made a near-post save from Snodgrass as Leeds pushed for a killer second goal.

There were a couple of penalty shouts in the Leeds area late on but both were optimistic in the extreme.

There was no official comment from Leicester last night on rumours that they had made a formal approach to Hull for manager Pearson.

Leicester’s joint caretaker manager Mike Stowell said: “I don’t know what’s happened. We have seen the Sky tickertape but he wouldn’t want people speculating about him because he’s in a job and doing a very good job. Nigel is a very good manager and an excellent bloke but he’s in a job. It’s been two weeks now and there are two weeks until the next match. Who knows?

“The owners are doing a good job and interviewing and taking their time. As long as they want us in charge, we’ll take charge.”