Leicester substitute Iain Hume struck an 89th-minute equaliser against Colchester to rescue a priceless point in their battle for Coca-Cola Championship survival.

Us striker Kevin Lisbie headed home Johnnie Jackson's cross after 76 minutes to put the relegated visitors ahead but City fought back courtesy of Hume's header from seven yards.

It was a frustrating afternoon for the home fans as their team failed to convert numerous opportunities and one fan even raced onto the field brandishing his season ticket in the direction of the City dug-out midway through the second half.

The result does little to dispel the Foxes' relegation fears and a dramatic improvement will be required if they are to stay afloat.

Leicester manager Ian Holloway revealed in his programme notes he felt a further six points would be enough to guarantee survival and his side set about making inroads into that target as they dominated the early proceedings.

Lee Hendrie made a statement of intent by firing narrowly over from close range within the opening two minutes.

Soon afterwards Steve Howard's looping header seemed destined for the top-right corner but back-pedalling Us goalkeeper Dean Gerken managed to palm it away for a corner.

Campbell's pace was causing the visitors all sorts of problems and his dangerous right-wing cross was cleared straight to Hendrie only for the midfielder's fiercely-struck effort to hit Richard Stearman.

And the former Birmingham forward could have opened the scoring when he attempted to clip the ball over Gerken - a reported target for West Ham - but the stopper lived up to his growing reputation as he stood up and made the save.

It was one-way traffic but the Foxes were unable to find a way through as Patrick Kisnorbo fired wide with an overhead kick and Stearman shot straight at Gerken from 25 yards.

Colchester carved a rare opportunity on the half-hour mark when Lisbie broke free from his marker to meet Scott Vernon's cross but somehow the ex-Charlton striker failed to find the target from inside the six-yard box.

The threat posed by the Foxes faded as half-time approached and they were booed off at the whistle.

Things failed to improve much after the break, however the home side did have the ball in the back of the net in the 54th minute courtesy of Hayles' glancing header only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.

Judging by the quality of both sides ability to retain possession it was easy to see why the pair kicked off in the bottom three.

As City became increasingly nervous United sensed an opportunity to win this game and it took a brilliant save from Paul Henderson to tip Lisbie's rasping drive over the bar.

And soon afterwards they took the lead when Lisbie converted Jackson's cross from the left.

Substitute Matty Fryatt twice spurned excellent opportunities but the Foxes were handed a lifeline when Stearman's cross was flicked on by Hendrie and Hume converted at the back post.

Kemal Izzet and Lisbie both had chances late on to steal it for the visitors but the Foxes hung on and live to fight another day.

Teams

Leicester Henderson, Stearman, N'Gotty (McAuley 86), Kisnorbo,Clapham, Bell, Oakley, Hendrie, Hayles (Hume 70), Campbell,Howard (Fryatt 70).

Subs Not Used: Alnwick, Wesolowski.

Booked: Hendrie.

Goals: Hume 89.

Colchester Gerken, Ifil, Coyne, Heath, White, Duguid, Hammond,Jackson, Elito (Izzet 73), Lisbie (Guy 90), Vernon (Platt 64).

Subs Not Used: Cousins, Balogh.

Booked: Heath.

Goals: Lisbie 76.

Att: 22,719

Ref: Neil Swarbrick (Lancashire).