Neil Austin's 49th-minute own-goal handed Leicester victory but Barnsley were left celebrating Coca-Cola Championship safety after Ipswich's late equaliser against Leeds at Elland Road.

Barnsley-born defender Austin, who turned 24 on Thursday, attempted to clear Matty Fryatt's lob off the line but succeeded only in heading the ball into his own net.

Austin's unfortunate intervention was enough to settle a tense contest at sun-soaked Oakwell but in the end it mattered little as Alan Lee's 88th-minute strike at Elland Road all-but sent Leeds into the third tier for the first time in their history.

The Foxes' victory enhances Nigel Worthington's prospects of landing the Leicester job on a permanent basis, despite the likes of former Fulham boss Chris Coleman and Macclesfield manager Paul Ince being linked with the post.

Worthington's men just about deserved their victory after a dreadful first half which saw neither side create a single noteworthy goalscoring opportunity.

Indeed, the fare served up in the opening half provided the conspiracy theorists with plenty of ammunition.

A draw would have all but secured both side's results regardless of results elsewhere and in the first half it seemed that they were set on achieving that outcome.

Barnsley striker Daniel Nardiello, whose five goals in the previous three games helped lift his side to the brink of safety, engineered the space for a shooting chance in the 13th minute.

The former Manchester United trainee showed delightful footwork inside the Leicester penalty area but his right-foot shot was weak and rolled into the path of visiting goalkeeper Conrad Logan.

Brian Howard's clever pass gave Nardiello another shooting opportunity midway through the half but again his shot lacked power.

Foxes defender Gareth McAuley then headed over a corner from Sean Newton as Leicester sought to make their aerial advantage pay.

In truth there were no genuine clear-cut chances but Iain Hume's shot from 20 yards at least warmed the hands of Tykes goalkeeper Nick Colgan shortly before the interval.

After the break it was a different story as Leicester seized the advantage in almost comical fashion.

A hopeless long punt upfield from Leicester found Fryatt racing clear and his lobbed shot lifted the ball over Colgan.

Austin still looked to have the time to head the ball clear but instead his attempted clearance flashed into his own net.

Fryatt celebrated the goal as if it were his own but the Foxes were soon on the back foot as Barnsley dug deep for an equaliser.

Nardiello saw two shots blocked in quick succession, Martin Devaney claimed a penalty after Gareth McAuley blocked his fierce left-foot drive and then Hungarian forward Istvan Ferenczi headed wastefully wide.

Leicester were reduced to playing solely on the counter-attack but Sean Newton almost made it 2-0 with a stinging low drive in the closing stages.

But the news from Elland Road soon had both Leicester and Barnsley celebrating and prompted a pitch invasion from the home supporters which may land the Oakwell club in trouble with the Football Association.

Teams:

Barnsley Colgan, Austin, Paul Reid, Kay, Heckingbottom,Devaney, Togwell, Howard, Kyel Reid (Rajczi 73), Nardiello,Ferenczi.

Subs Not Used: Lucas, Jones, McCann, Atkinson.

Booked: Kay.

Leicester Logan, Stearman, Kisnorbo, McAuley, Johansson,Newton, Wesolowski, Hughes, Mattock, Hume,Fryatt (Cadamarteri 66).

Subs Not Used: Henderson, Maybury, Horsfield, Porter.

Goals: Austin 49 og.

Att: 20,012

Ref: R Booth (Nottinghamshire).